After their last release in 2023, Claimed Choice return with a self-titled record that proves what many of us already knew: they’re one of the exciting bands to come out of the European oi! scene in recent years.
Hailing from Lyon, the band has built a solid trajectory in just a few years. From their first cassette demo to their debut LP (We Won’t Give In), a split with No Heart, a memorable 7-inch, and now this brand-new album — each release has felt like a deliberate step forward. With this self-titled effort, out now on Une Vie Pour Rien Vinyles, they deliver eight songs, twenty minutes, and absolutely no filler.
What sets S/T apart is how Claimed Choice pull together different strands of British street rock’n’roll and make them their own. You hear the grit of ’80s Oi!, the bite of ’77 punk, and even a glam/pub rock undercurrent that adds swagger and freshness. The opening track “Bootboy (Don’t Stop)” throws in harmonica riffs straight out of Lester Butler's playbook — a nod to the rough rhythm & blues roots of street rock.
This album is a barrage of anthems: “Bootboy”, “Make Some Noise” (previously featured on the Born Bad Record Shop anniversary comp), and “Outcasts” all hit like battering rams, tailor-made to kickstart chaos in the pit.
“Knock You Out”, “Contre la Montre”, and “Six Pieds Sous Terre” slow things just enough to let their ’70s rock influences shine through, while “Wolves and Sheep” balances melody and muscle perfectly.
What’s most striking is that Claimed Choice never sound like revivalists or retro cosplay. This is skinhead rock’n’roll for the here and now — loud, raw, and alive.
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