Opening with the tongue-in-cheek I’m an Anarchist, the record bursts to life like a pirate radio transmission from 1979 London. It’s quick, chaotic, and fun -a fitting intro to an album that constantly rewires punk’s DNA. From there, Go Back Home and Automatic deliver high-octane riffs and razor-tight grooves, while At My Funeral balances gallows humour with a chorus too catchy to ignore.
The band’s chemistry shines brightest in their rhythm section: bassist Mike Fenton and drummer Julian Smith lock into dub-infused beats that would make Paul Simonon proud. Over it, Michael Bingham’s vocals swagger between deadpan and defiant, half-shouted diary entries for modern misfits. The guitars – handled by Nate Punty and Jacob Breeze – oscillate between Clash-style skank and Strokes-like shimmer, particularly on You’ve Got My Number, where guest vocals from Sharon Van Etten add a sweet-and-sour contrast.
Where many peers like Turnstile and Scowl are polishing hardcore into pop gold, Spiritual Cramp look backward to move forward. Rude plays like a love letter to the late-’70s London scene – soaked in ska, reggae, and working-class attitude – yet filtered through San Francisco haze. Tracks like Violence in the Supermarket and Young Offenders blend new wave synths with beer-soaked singalongs, while Crazy and True Love (Is Hard to Find) channel heartbreak through sweaty dance-floor catharsis.
There’s no filler here. Rude is lean, loud, and unapologetically fun – a half-hour of anthems for those who still believe punk can move both feet and hearts. It’s equal parts rebellion and release, proof that the rude spirit never really left – it just needed the right band to wake it up again.
Releasedate: 24-10-2025 | Label: Blue Grape Music | Instagram
