'Millenials' - The Snuts Album Review

THE WEST LOTHIAN INDIE TRAILBLAZERS UNVEIL ALBUM #3

‘We started writing new music and quickly realised that we could do this sh*t ourselves.’

The Snuts bounce back onto the scene, setting in motion a momentous new chapter with Millennials. This is a band that’s made it pretty clear they’re against large corporations. Championing the infamous ‘F**k the Tories’ chants last festival season and crying ‘Burn The Empire’ in a previous album-opener.

For many, this would be an unthinkable disaster. For The Snuts, it’s been a refreshed outlet of creativity, dropping the 10 biggest tunes of their career.

After releasing one of the biggest indie records of 2021 W.L. they decided to tackle society’s most topical challenges in follow-up Burn The Empire. Including politics, the fall of the Internet, and Zuckerberg’s data disasters.

Now, flying high in 2024, it’s time to strip things back. The Snuts chose to return to their roots, reminiscent of Sundara Karma’s recent efforts on Better Luck Next Time. For album no.3, it’s about focusing on what they do best, indie floor-fillers.

The Snuts @ SWG3 2023 (Hope Simmers/Northern Exposure)

Full of rainbows, sunshine and optimism, Millennials is a fun-filled hit of happiness clocking in at just shy of half an hour. The record beams euphoria and joy, as the Scottish four-piece talks about escapism (Millionaires), life (Butterside Down), love (Gloria) and mental health (Yoyo).

Taking the mundane and turning it into a vibrant fairytale on Gloria, The Snuts boldly open by diving head first into a wondrous, colourful, and free-spirited festival anthem. Finding a lover at a TESCO, feeling the rush of what’s to come, then embracing the day-to-day. This is The Snuts at their very best. Ear-worm songwriting, melodic guitar riffs and crowd-pleasing hooks.

On Millionaires, there are thoughts of winning the lottery and running away (‘We’ll be rich, I swear’) and Dreams rattles through young love (’I’m King, you’re Queen’). Whereas on Circa Waves inspired Novastar, it’s all about giving up everything to be a rockstar.

There’s no shortage of cultural relevancy either as blissful NPC surfs through Kasabian, The Hoosiers and Two Door Cinema Club. The term Non-Playable Character derives from video games, now used to describe the mundane via social media.

Digging deep into their loyal and ravenous audience, these tracks will find themselves taking on a new life at festivals. Each ticks all the boxes for immense crowd-pleasers, when beer starts flying and flares light up around you, don’t be surprised. By design, all the above, light up dark times and steal the show on warmer days.

It’s not all fun and games, though. Yoyo discusses visiting your GP for mental health and Wunderkind questions a millennial life-crisis. Both masked by indie-pop, you’ll have to listen closer to uncover hidden messages nestled behind singalong lyrics. The same rings true for Butterside Down, a comparatively softer affair about finding life’s positives.

The real album highlights here are the final two tracks, Deep Diving and Circles. Taking The Snuts’ signature style and finding ways to be progressive, refreshing, and new. The latter, particularly, features string arrangements. This gives us a glimpse into a grandiose future for one of the hottest indie bands on the planet.

On Millennials, there was never any desire to hold back. The Snuts have let loose and unleashed none other than bangers. They’re enjoying every second and that care-free spirit translates into every track.

That bright album cover is no illusion, spinning this record is a door to endless joy. Straight-forward, fast-paced, and with one mission: having a good time. As the days get lighter, Millennials brings a much-needed hit of Dopamine. It’s no coincidence the weather brightened outside while writing this review, maybe it’ll work for you too. Of the 10 tracks, there’s not one skippable moment.

As you embark on road trips this Summer, this is your soundtrack. So, roll the windows down. Bask in the sunlight. Feel the warmth. Let these melodies transport you to utopia.

Catch The Snuts on tour here, or help them get to number 1 via their store.