Crash & the CrapentersOf A Love Renewed

A snapshot of potent punk in a post-pandemic reality, album #3 from Gadigal/Sydney’s Crash & the Crapenters explores a unique palette of sounds alongside accentuated social commentary.

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Of A Love Renewed brings a horde of classic punk hues to its 12 songs; but that’s not to say there aren’t some surprises lying in wait alongside rollicking fuzz and biting energy.

From leaning into ska, reggae, and straight up rock’n’roll at varying times throughout the album, Crash & the Crapenters serve up an affable bluntness alongside their nods to The Clash, early Red Hot Chili Peppers and a splash of Midnight Oil for good measure. And while a little rough around the edges, as is to be expected from the book of punk, Of A Love Renewed’s secret weapon ultimately lies in its ability to make you forget about the negative rumblings of the world – despite shining a spotlight on a good few of them along the way. 

The moment Of A Love Renewed’s adrenaline-inducing opener kicks off, the aptly titled Runner’s High, there’s a clear zero filter approach to proceedings, with the rollicking ode to mental health leading straight into the funked-up I Don’t Get Johnny Funk. And from the jubilant yet rugged post-lockdown stomper Go Get Gone to the raw meat rock stylings of Somebody To Believe In, Crash & the Crapenters soon dabble in downtempo swagger (Chains), caustic punk (Fuck You And Your Phone), and a bit of true blue rock made for pub singalongs (Those Who Matter Don’t Mind).

An album borne of the modern age and influenced by the greats of the past, Of A Love Renewed finds Crash & the Crapenters getting under your skin with compelling thematics and a flair for stylistic shifts. A raw look into the world around us, warts and all, Of A Love Renewed is an invigorating outing from this Sydney lot

In between the higher octane moments, the resonant Guilty As Sin stands out in part for its sturdy vocals and hypnotic melodics, as well as its powerful call out indicting the Catholic Church institution and its history covering up crimes. And with some ska flavours lolling on Ride It Out, Of A Love Renewed also highlights other real world events (the tragic victim of a social media bullying campaign Matilda Rosewarne in focus on For Tilly’s Sake), with the album closing out with an oscillating and, at times, sonically upbeat exploration into grief (The Grieving Song) and, finally, a woozy punk call-to-arms for change (The World Is Broken).

An album borne of the modern age and influenced by the greats of the past, Of A Love Renewed finds Crash & the Crapenters getting under your skin with compelling thematics and a flair for stylistic shifts. A raw look into the world around us, warts and all, Of A Love Renewed is an invigorating outing from this Sydney lot; and one that poses a strong start for wherever Crash & the Crapenters turn their gazes to next in 2024.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Go Get Gone, Fuck You And Your Phone, Guilty As Sin
STICK THIS NEXT TO: The Clash, The Jam, The Buzzcocks

Of A Love Renewed is out now via Big Radio Records.