Snappy and delicious, we finally have a big fat debut from Manchester-bred No Hot Ashes. Hardship Starship hits all the sweet spots of good old-fashioned indie, while avoiding any possible accusations of offering ‘nothing new’. Indeed, these guys certainly bring something else to the table.
Amidst the punchy vocals and inescapable drumming, an oddly warm sense of reality carries you throughout the album. Telling tales of love, lust and economic disparity, Hardship Starship is not only relatable, it’s relevant. Take ‘CAR’, for instance: a seemingly upbeat, catchy number, which below the surface tackles wealth inequality in the UK. And let’s not skip over ‘Indecision/Intermission’, the perfect summary of Britain’s collective reaction to Brexit, which in itself could be neatly condensed into “what the fuck is going on”.
But despite the sentiments of frustration littered on-board, Hardship Starship remains an upbeat record, likely to have you singing along just as soon as you learn the words. A fantastic addition to the British indie universe.
Haiku Review
No Hot Ashes stay,
Despite the spacey title,
Very down-to-earth.
