Production-wise, the sound is sharp and direct. No frills, no fuzz – just the right amount of clarity to let the riffs bite and the choruses hit. From the first second, it’s obvious these lads know how to balance raw energy with a clean punch.
The opener sets the tone with a fast-paced burst of riffs and a solo that locks straight into your head. Here Come the Dogs shifts gears with a blues-tinged punk drive that wouldn’t feel out of place on an Offspring record – catchy, well written, and built for the stage. Final Goal digs back into old-skool territory, complete with a chant-heavy chorus tailor-made for the terrace.
There’s no shortage of speed either – Last Call Army rips forward with relentless riffing, while Switchblade Steve sticks thanks to its simple but effective title-chant. Dutch, But Not from Holland hits home with a grin, especially for those of us from the south. Too many outsiders still call the whole country “Holland” when that’s just the west – and The Young Ones make the point with a proper Oi! stomp.
And then there’s Skinhead. A cover of The Strike’s classic, it’s a respectful nod to the roots and a reminder of why this music exists in the first place. Chants, drive, and attitude – everything in the right place.
As a whole, With a Touch of Panache is short, sharp, and built to replay. Seventeen minutes isn’t nearly enough, but every track sticks. A great comeback that proves The Young Ones haven’t gone anywhere – they’re just as ready to raise a pint and a fist as they were twenty years ago.
Releasedate: 19-09-2025 | Label: Contra Records/Long Shot Records | Instagram
Tracklist:
01. Boots Still Stomp the Same
02. Here Come the Dogs
03. Final Goal
04. Last Call Army
05. Switchblade Steeve
06. Dutch, But Not from Holland
07. Skinhead (The Strike)
