The Blackout - Start The Party
The Olympics have finished, the sun has disappeared behind grey clouds, the days are getting shorter and the country is in the midst of an economic disaster. Yawn!
What we all really need is a well-meaning slap in the face - a boost to the system, a kick up the backside and a blast of positive energy to get us through, over and above these grim times.
Luckily for all, The Blackout have just the remedy in the form of their new album Start The Party due out 21st January 2013.
Featuring 11 new tracks of non-stop, high-energy, full-monty, balls-to-wall rock anthems, the latest creative splatter from Merthyr Tydfil's brightest stars is the explosion of energy and unbridled enjoyment we've all been seeking.
"Music can be a great form of escapism and we tried to fully encapsulate that with this record," says vocalist Gavin Butler. "There's a lot of bands out there at the moment that do deal with this depression and the shit state of the world, but that's just not us. We wanted to write about enjoying yourself and not worrying about things. Take a half hour out of your life, switch off and hear something fun!"
Recorded in the heart of the West Country at The Distillery Studios with former-A vocalist and long-time collaborator Jason Perry behind the desk, Start The Party sees the boys embracing everything that they - and their fans - love the most.
"It's about positivity, moving on and getting on with life," says co-vocalist Sean Smith.
From the party-heavy title-track, through the hip-shaking 'We Live On' and the lighter-waving ballad of 'You' the band have created a wealth of hooks and catchy melodies that will send crowds around the planet hoarse from excitement.
Once they're delivered by their duelling vocalists, these songs will further cement The Blackout's position as one of the most entertaining and enigmatic live bands in the UK.
"This album captures our real personality," says Sean. "That laryiness, the yobbish, laddish, loud, shouting happy gang that's all about doing what we want and having a good time. We're like the Beastie Boys meets Andrew W.K. meets Dirty Sanchez."
"All I know is that this record contains the best songs we've ever written," says Gavin. "We can only hope that it's the one that gets us our own Caribbean islands"
Adding to their explosive live performances, their party-hard attitude, perpetual witty banter and award-winning good looks (we made that last bit up), Start The Party proves - as a bold and non-nonsense fact - that The Blackout "are still the best in town!