Album Review: Press Club – Wasted Energy

Whether at a live show or studio recording, there is an overwhelming force that comes from Press Club lead singer Natalie Foster, and Wasted Energy is a testament to that. She, alongside the equally commanding instrumentalists, was made for the punk world. 

Opening with Separate Houses, it's already evident that this is Press Club’s best work. Starting off with powerful and poetic screaming from Foster, the song then transitions to an almost pop-sounding voice as Foster poignantly echoes the words, ‘’I keep on pretending that I am getting better.” 

The beginning of Get Better has a distinct sound due to a stronger Aussie twang in Foster’s vocal – she sounds like a punk-rock Courtney Barnett, and we’re totally for it. Saying that, the record is uniquely Press Club – there's no need for any more comparisons.

New Year's Eve is an angsty tale consumed by thrash-fuelled drums and fast-paced bass riffs. Behave stands out for its gritty attitude and out of this world guitar shreds – amen to Greg Rietwyk! Same Mistakes slows things down a tad, and is vitalised by Rietwyk’s backing vocals.

Wasted Energy is wholly gripping. It’s a force to be reckoned with. It’s 12 huge tunes that you didn’t know you needed until now.