Album Review: Pet Needs – Fractured Party Music

Colchester, UK’s Pet Needs are set to release their debut full length “Fractured Party Music” on the 12th March via Xtra Mile Recordings. Like everyone else Pet Needs have been stuck at home counting the days until venues open their doors once more, instead of parking themselves in front of the TV and soaking up whatever was left to watch on Netflix, they have poured their energy into their debut album, an energy which has been harnessed by Frank Turner who is at the helm on the band’s debut full length. “Fractured Party Music” is a deceptive album, there is a distinct dissonance between the band name and the extremely cutesy sleeve art that sit in stark contrast to the contents of the album.

A squall of feedback leads you into opener heartfelt opener ‘Outline‘, track that ebbs and flows whilst musing on the cynical nature of life before we land in ‘Tracy Emin’s Bed‘, a song that references the controversial artwork and makes comparisons between the installation and mental health. The core of the album is formed by tracks like ‘Sympathetic Accent Syndrome‘, ‘Kayak‘, ‘Roses‘ and ‘Toothpaste‘ that all keep the energy flowing nicely, the album departs from it’s discordant chimera of styles with the acoustic ‘As The Spin Cycle Span‘ and the closing slow burn of ‘Embers‘ that both bring a comparative lull to the album. Elsewhere you’ll find other treasures such ‘Pavlovian‘, that brings a darker heavier vibe to the fore, and the energetic indie punk of ‘Overcompensating‘ and the folk punk of ‘You Look Like You’ve Never Bought a Scratchcard‘ that are the album’s finest moments.

“Fractured Party Music” is simultaneously eloquent and focused on the one hand whilst being chaotic and frantic on the other, at times full on discordant punk rock, at others harking back to the Cardiacs and The Soft Boys, with a slight alt rock undercurrent, think Muse but getting to the point and without the overproduction, with indie punk hooks aplenty and a grungey undertone. “Fractured Party Music” is an idiosyncratic album of anti-anthems that raises two fingers to pretentiousness, the album provides a unique perspective formed from the band’s memories, observations and of course the longest year of all of our lives.  “Fractured Party Music” is an album that deserves to be heard, and when the venues that have survived lockdown reopen their doors Pet Needs will be waiting outside, and you really should be queuing to get in behind them.

“Fractured Party Music” can be pre-saved, pre-added and pre-ordered here