Album Review: The Molotovs - 'Wasted On Youth'
Explosive, vivacious and full of energy, The Molotovs debut album is impossible to ignore.
Since becoming a band in 2020, The Molotovs have been on a journey few teens their age could ever dream of. With hundreds of shows under their belts, approval and praise from the likes of Paul Weller and heralded as the second coming of Britpop, they are quickly becoming one of the bands of the moment. Having let us wait long enough, they finally release their debut album ‘Wasted On Youth’, and with it let the world know their plans to stick around for the long run.
Made up of brother and sister Mathew and Issey, the band emerged out of the pandemic when really, the pair were still just kids. Now 17 and 19, they are making the leap from breakout buzz to real influence, a rising force that is changing the shape of modern British music. Their debut album brings together all they’ve learnt and built up over the last six years and with a ferocity and power introduces a band who are set on making their mark. With their sharp look, feral live shows and songs about growing up, standing out and fighting back, there’s something about the Molotovs that truly sets them apart. Perhaps it's the chemistry (and occasional rivalry) that comes from being siblings. Perhaps its the difference in their character; the brother who starts the fires and the sister who puts them out. Perhaps it is their frantic determination and commitment to gigging as much as they can, regardless of whether its a wedding, birthday or funeral. Whatever is in their cocktail, The Molotovs are beginning the year with a real bang.
Every track on the record is penned by Mathew. He’s a natural songwriter, not just due to his innate sense of lyricism and melody but rather his individualism. He, and by extension the band, have a real rebellious streak and disregard for authority - they’re characterised by their refusal to be tied down by labels or genres. Instead, they stay true to why they began playing in the first place - because it’s all they’ve ever wanted to do.
It is clear throughout the album how much the band love music. Distilling decades worth of influences and styles into a debut album is no mean feat but they’ve managed to capture the essence of all the greats. Demonstrating an admiration and sonic knowledge many would argue as beyond their years, there are moments on the record that feel lifted right out of the height of the mod years. For fans of a twangy guitar, ‘Wasted On Youth’ is a real treat.
Across eleven tracks, the band presents a curated sound that channels youthful energy into brilliantly clever and well written songs. Their style is as bold as it is ambiguous; a raucous mix that blends together classic and new wave punk, indie and garage influences and the restless ambition and drive that we associate with contemporary pop music. They clearly intend with this release to show off the full spectrum of their abilities : from swaggery, frenetic punk fury on ‘Get a Life’ that is razor sharp with its defiance to the more acoustic ‘Nothing Keeps Her Away’ that demonstrates a disarming yet enchanting level of restraint (especially given the fervour of so many of the other tracks), this is truly a band who have packed in everything and the kitchen sink. A personal and no doubt popular favourite emerges in the final track ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’, one of the singles that came out early in anticipation of the album drop. A message of optimism, its a song that really brings hope about the future, both of music and of the world itself. Raw, honest, anthemic and incredibly affirming, it sees The Molotovs confront the reality of being part of the next generation and ask their audience ‘Are We Enough?’. Having laid themselves bare and given all they can, it’s the perfect way to close a debut. The answer, of course, is a resounding yes. Screw being just ‘enough’, they are set to burst.
Thirteen in-store shows are to take place over the coming weeks up and down the country to celebrate the band’s mammoth achievement. These are as good as sold out, only a handful of venues have availability. In the spring, The Molotovs are back on the road opening for Yungblud on the UK leg of his IDOLS world tour. They’ve also announced a handful of shows in the summer on the festival circuit including Belladrum in Scotland, Sound Factory in Plymouth, Bearded Theory in Derbyshire and Liquid Sounds in Lanzarote - theirs is clearly a name to watch out for as more lineups are released.
Words by Kirsty-Ann Thomson
