Album Review: Millie Manders and The Shutup – Wake Up, Shut Up, Work

This lady and this band aren’t one to fuss or mess about, and the first track, ‘Angry Side’, is just that. The vibrant, sharp vocals of Manders relay this confessional track over a bed of garage punk punctured by some great drumming. The rhythmic, melodic moments are great from here on out. Tasty guitar solos, as shown on this track, but also clever use of the band’s brass section. Bass-led ‘Windows’ uses the band’s brass section to great strength, the same as ‘One The Got Away’ with short bursts to puncture the chorus.

‘Shut Your Mouth’ comes across a bit like a heavy Kate Nash, such is the vocal attitude. Manders delivers fast-paced, intelligent lyrics topped by a great chorus. A middle 8 breaks things up before the punk drops. It’s one of those songs that just begs to be let loose on a live stage. Following in the same vein, ‘Me Too’ is a politically charged fierce lyric, and you can really hear the emotion in Manders vocals as she exploded on the chorus and the whip-like verses about the female body and how it is viewed in society and conversations regarding sexual assault.

Can I Get Off? a blistering tirade against the multiple “genocidal” conflicts happening across the world, and which unapologetically outlines Millie’s stance on the current Israeli–Palestinian conflict: “Do you feel uncomfortable? / How do you think the Gazans feel while they’re still being bombed? / Am I siding with Hamas? You’re going to ask that one again?” “I was desperately frightened putting that song in, but I didn’t have a choice,” says Millie. “I’ve had a lot of backlash for advocating for Palestine. I’ve lost friends, I’ve lost followers, I’ve lost fans, I lost a booking agent. But I want people to know that being confident in your political standing and standing up for other people is right and brave. If you’re still not speaking about it, you’re a fucking coward.”

The pop punk returns fully on the hilarious ‘Fun Sponge’ a bounce number with a fun horn filled chorus. Deploying the magical punk guitar techniques of quiet and loud and palm muted. Manders is such a clever lyricist. ‘Threadbare’ also brings the addictive phrasing to her lyrics.

Highlight ‘R.I.P.’ is not only another genius piece of lyrical poetry but also a superb vocal performance from Manders. The energy remains high throughout this hefty 12-track record; however, ‘Halloween’ gives a little breathing space as an ode to dying love. Again, Manders wows with her vocal cords as she goes note to note with a violin for an emotive outro. Even the drums make you cry.

Hearts broken there’s nothing like a punk cracker to put you back together, and luckily, the next track up does just that. The charged ‘Rebound’ sees the band up the tempo, and a vicious Manders sets up a huge chorus ready for a sweaty stage near you.

This is an important album for this band; it is the second they needed to build on the success of the first album, Telling Truths, Breaking Ties. From the emotive, politically charged Me Too to the witty Fun Sponge, there is no denying this band’s songcraft, particularly the lyrics. The band have got the album dynamics spot on, and each song here is pleasantly presented with ear pleasing production.

Millie Manders and The Shutup have made great waves in the punk scene, with Wake up, Shut Up, Work they are set to make great waves in the greater world of music now.

Check out the track Can I Get Off?, below:

Purchase the album here

The band have announced details of an autumn headline tour for the forthcoming Wake Up, Shut Up, Work. Tickets are available from www.millie-manders.com and the venues.

See the dates below

AUGUST