Viagra Boys: Cave World- Track by Track Review

Viagra Boys are a sextet of trained jazz musicians who have turned their energy into making abrasive post-punk music. Cave World is their third album and they've built up a reputation for satirical lyricism and heavy-hitting riffs. Take their track Sports which was one of the best songs of 2018.

We thought we'd take a look at their new album Cave World track by track to see what the mischievous bunch were up to now.

Baby Criminal

The album immediately plunges into a hailstorm of riffs. Seemingly taking props from spaghetti western sounds and topping them with huge wails of guitar, it certainly wakes you up. They describe the ensuing psychopathic behaviour of a guy going through life, just normal Viagra Boys stuff. This is their most ludicrous start to an album so far. 

Cave Hole

A short instrumental already? Here we get some mildly disturbing sounds that feel like being in the middle of a desert and having a really bad trip.

Troglodyte

Breakneck speed is the order of this album so far. Here they're in the mind of a twisted guy with a gun who thinks the people in his life have wronged him. Amongst the onslaught, there's surprise pan flute, synth flourishes and some of the nicest guitar transitions you'll hear all year. This is a thrilling punk track that encapsulates a hateful mind. If you need a gun to feel good, there's probably a lot wrong with you feels like an essential message here.

Punk Rock Loser

The overdrive on these riffs feels amazing. "When we met you thought that I could probably change", they begin as we hear from a character that describes themselves as "not your average punk rock loser". Whether or not we believe that this guy is as cool as he thinks is another question altogether.

Yet, there is a part of us who wants to be this braggadocious "savavge". The album is off to a really strong start. 

Creepy Crawlers

The vocal howls of singer Sebastian Murphy are entertainment enough on their own. Here he takes the piss out of conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers. Portraying them as idiots who talk about microchips and creepy crawlies. He sounds completely shaken like he's about three steps from insanity.

This is the type of song about the pandemic discourse that we can get behind. 

Cognitive Trade-off Hypothesis

This track begins with a history lesson, going from slightly creepy to an almost euphoric section with synth that sounds as if it came from an early sci-fi film. One of the tamest tracks so far, it emphasises atmosphere instead and definitely wins points for trying a different idea even if the lyrics aren't as interesting as the other tracks.

Globe Earth

Another short instrumental that honestly sounds like it could be the background music for the Epcot ride at Disney at one point.

Ain't No thief

It does however transition into this glorious song that feels like a mixture of hardcore and EDM. It's quite a headrush but it works, it's like being thrown suddenly into the sweatiest club night of your life. Just when you think this album can't get much crazier you get a track like this, the BPM is off the charts.

You can consider this a full-on dance music track, it would find a home in the sweatiest basements.

Big Boy (feat Jason Williamson)

Sebastian's vocals become distorted as he's joined by Sleaford Mods' Jason Williamson. He's determined to assure you that he's definitely a big strong boy with no insecurities. The weird harmonies throughout make it feel like some weird fever dream. Big Boy does perhaps suffer a bit from its repetitive nature.

Yet it is refreshed by the introduction of Williamson whose unique vocals and attitude do always bring entertainment value. 

ADD

Blasts of bass dominate this track early on, it creates the kind of sound that is almost anxiety-inducing. It sees the sing about Attention Deficit Disorder which affects concentration. Their forays into electronic music have definitely paid off on this album.

Human Error

An incredibly short instrumental track that barely leaves a mark before it's finished.

Return to Monke

This truly feels like what the entire album has been building to. Just a volcano explosion of noise. They're sarcastically asking, wouldn't it just be better to leave society and regress back to when we were monkeys? It's a truly chaotic ending in lyrics and riffs, with it feeling like it's going to implode in on itself at any moment.

Overall, this is Viagra Boys' best album so far. In taking aim at conspiracy theorists and embodying their craziest characters so far, Cave World really is an invitation into the madhouse. Their electronic touches perfectly match and add a new dimension to the intensity that they so often project. Get it through your ears.

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