The latest album from Amyl and The Sniffers “Comfort To Me” is even more than a show stopper. Their second full-length LP, brings the show and tears it up in the purest punk rock style. Chaotic, raw and boisterous, Amyl and The Sniffers are keeping punk rock alive by drawing from the best elements of punk rock music while also applying their own spin to bring excitement and freshness to the music scene.
Amy Taylor is not calling bluff when she sings, “Energy, I’ve got plenty of energy” on “Guided by Angels” one of three singles from Amyl and The Sniffer’s upcoming album. It is undeniable that Taylor’s vocals are a driving force within the band, setting them apart with her unique tone and roughness that has become a staple of the band’s sound.
With “Comfort To Me” she delivers even more rawness and stylistics to elevate The Sniffer’s music to the next level. Rage, passion, lust and a plethora of other emotions are packed into Taylor’s vocals, fueling the songs and calling on similar feelings that lie within listeners. Taylor fearlessly dispels her frustrations and desires on the album, hitting on topics such as personal sovereignty, relationships and even politics. Amy’s lyrics are undeniably true to her human experience, which establishes an open form of communication between the music and audiences, adding to the depth and impact of the album.
Alongside the rawness of the lyrics, is the no-bullshit instrumentals that contribute to the unique sound of the Sniffers. The band delivers amped-up punk rock anthems that are gritty and chaotic. Yet this untamed aesthetic is not born from poor production of lack of cohesion but rather from balance and fluidity that undeniably flows through the band.
On guitar, Dec Martens draws from both punk and rock styles with fast-paced riffs to accompany even rougher bass lines along with more stylistically advanced solos and bridges that share similarities to grunge rock bands such as Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. Gus Romer brings in bass lines that compliment the guitar presence, leaning into a punk sound that is reminiscent of bands such as Germs and Fugazi. With guitar and bass in conjunction, the drums on the album seamlessly tie together all other sonic elements, keeping the songs on beat and surging with adrenaline. If Taylor leads with vocals and Marten and Romer bring the intensity with their respective guitar sections, then drummer Bryce Wilson ties the rhythm section together and brings coherence to the album.
Although the majority of the album is grounded in a punk rock sound, synth elements are also incorporated on the album, tying in a disco-pop feel that keeps listeners on their toes. The Sniffers diversify the songs on the album in other subtle ways such as adding in male backup vocals that are at times eerie and echoic and at others brash and psychotic. While maintaining a signature style, The Sniffers break out of the confines of the punk genre on the album in small ways that make a large impact of setting the band apart.
It is inevitable that Amyl and The Sniffers are going to continue to take the punk rock world by storm with “Comfort to Me”. The album blends the creme de la creme of punk, grunge and rock with elements synonymous with bands that have paved the way in such genres while also breaking through with their own style that is unparalleled by any band currently making music.
Pay heed to Amyl and The Sniffers and look forward to the gripping listening experience that is their upcoming album, “Comfort to Me” set to be released on Friday, Sept. 10, available on Apple Music and Spotify.
