UNIVERSITY - McCartney, It'll Be OK

UNIVERSITY's debut album 'McCartney, It'll Be OK wields both chaos and cleverness in equal measure. The Crewe outfit have crafted eight gleefully unhinged tracks that capture the unfiltered electricity of their live shows while revealing new layers with each listen.

Opening with 'Massive Twenty One Pilots Tattoo', born from an in-house game of worst possible tattoo ideas, the album immediately establishes its masterful balance of punk intensity and playful self-awareness. The raw production, recorded live at Studio 13, preserves every jagged edge and unexpected turn.

'Curwen' and 'GTA Online' showcase the band's ability to pivot between face-melting intensity and moments of clarity, while 'History of Iron Maiden Pt. 1' stretches nearly ten minutes, transforming from a drunken stumble into something genuinely transcendent around the three-minute mark.

What makes this band special is how they’ve evolved from their raucous beginnings into increasingly complex emotional territory, leading listeners through various moods while maintaining much of the raw energy that made their earlier EP so vital. Even when things get heavier, there's always an undercurrent of wit, whether it's in the form of their mascot Eddie's gaming interludes or the way they weave everyday moments into their sonic tapestry.

UNIVERSITY understand that sometimes the heaviest punch needs a punchline, and 'McCartney, It'll Be OK' lands both with precision. It's a debut that proves you can push punk's boundaries without losing its beating heart - or its sense of humour. Seriously impressive stuff.