After nearly a decade since their breakthrough with Backbars and Alleyways (2016), Belfast’s Takers and Users return with The Ten Year Hangover. Their previous work established them as one of the most convincing voices in contemporary Oi! and streetpunk, but this new record sharpens both craft and conviction.
Opening track “16 Years” sets the tone immediately: a widescreen chorus, built for crowd participation, that channels both nostalgia and defiance. Later, “Resistance” strips everything back to pure urgency, condensing the group’s uncompromising ethos into less than two minutes of ferocity. These contrasts—anthemic and raw, reflective and combative—define the record’s dynamic range.
What makes The Ten Year Hangover stand out is its balance of grit and maturity. The band remain firmly rooted in their working-class Belfast identity, with lyrical nods to struggle, humor, and resilience. Yet there is also a noticeable evolution: arrangements feel more deliberate, production more robust, and the songwriting more nuanced.
The hooks are undeniable, the choruses memorable, and the record maintains intensity even when the tempos shift. Tracks like “Resistance” illustrate the seamless crossover between Oi! and streetpunk, while the hidden acoustic piece following “Home Is Where The Heart Is” offers a surprising, folkloric coda reminiscent of traditional Irish drinking songs—a reminder of the band’s roots and versatility.
The Ten Year Hangover distinguishes itself as a definitive statement from a veteran band still at the height of their powers.
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties