Crawlers - ‘The Mess We Seem To Make’ review
Crawlers
Liverpool-based alternative rockers Crawlers’ debut LP The Mess We Seem To Make, is an anthemic monument to the lonely outsider and an eclectic indie rock treasure trove.
The four-piece consisting of Holly Minto (they/she): vocals & trumpet, Amy Woodall (she/her): lead guitar, Liv May (she/they): bass guitar, Harry Breen (he/him): drums, were formed in 2018. From local venues in their home turf of Merseyside, the group have since gained considerable success after their single ‘Come Over (Again)’ went viral on TikTok in late 2021.
Following a summer on the festival circuit, a successful UK tour and supporting the likes of My Chemical Romance and YUNGBLUD, Crawlers have gained an impressive following ahead of their debut. The twelve-track LP The Mess We Seem To Make wrestles with trauma, mental health and sexual politics with masterful conviction and vibrancy.
Minto’s impressive vocals are obvious from second track ‘Kiss Me’. Minto deep and naturally emotive voice commands many of these songs, rivalled only by the frenetic energy of the regular shredding guitar. While the album’s opening treads lighter and softer, Crawlers are first and foremost a rock band. Their varied sound and refusal to be sonically pinned down by any single genre is evident from the grittier ‘Hit it Again’ which pairs grungy instrumental with hard-hitting lyrics, showcasing a certain confident attitude from the band which carries on in ‘Better if I Just Pretend’.
Rough and ready guitar-led tracks are contrasted with softer and melancholic songs. The swelling piano and poignant lyrics of ‘Golden Bridge’ feel ripped straight from the credits of a nostalgic coming-of-age movie. Followed by ‘Come Over (Again)’, the single that started it all, the album is a solid journey that draws you in with a certain intimacy and holds you there by the heartstrings.
The soaring guitar breaks characteristic of Crawlers generate a particular kind of euphoria, matched with lyricism that often deals with the dark and depressing, resulting in an album that is oftentimes honestly brutal but also wonderfully uplifting. The band can strike a balance in tracks such as ‘Kills Me to Be Kind’ between lonely self-deprecation and hope. Generally, the album seems like the perfect post-break-up listen, with the band taking the listener through stages of anger, wallowing, regret and finally acceptance. Tracks towards the tail end of the album such as ‘What I Know is What I Love’ and ‘I End Up Alone’ seem particularly good for that kind of bedroom angst.
The Mess We Seem To Make is altogether a striking debut. This smorgasbord of songs sound made to be played live. As the band have been known for their highly emotional performances, the album is sure to thrive in the glory of their live shows. Crawlers have an exciting energy which captures the mood of a generation with a strong debut that proves the young band as serious contenders in the modern rock landscape.
The Mess We Seem To Make from Crawlers is out now via Polydor Records and available on all good streaming platforms.
