ALBUM REVIEW: SCREECH BATS - WISH YOU WERE HER

It has been just over a year now since London punk quartet ‘Screech Bats’ released their self-titled debut; a four track EP of classic punk rock bangers. Now the band are back with their sophomore EP ‘Wish You Were Her’. Taking the band in a darker and heavier direction, this new record shows a side to ‘Screech Bats’ that was barely audible on their self-titled. Spanning 5 tracks in 15 minutes, ‘Wish You Were Her’ starts with a banger and gets better with every song! Drummer Lexi Clark pummels the skins throughout opening track ‘Blood In My Hair’ with a ferocity that we have never heard before. Vocalist Esme Baker truly comes into her own on lead single ‘Get Better’ and ‘Just Like You’ as she finds a perfect balance between classic punk rock and latter day emo. Anyone who likes bands such as ‘Creeper’ but are looking for something less polished, this record is a must have.

The first four tracks make for a great punk EP, however every track pales in comparison against the final song ‘That Valentine Song’. This is hands down the best song that ‘Screech Bats’ have written so far as they take all of the best qualities from the record and pack them all into one song. Baker’s vocals soar in an absolute belter of a chorus, Clark’s drumming shows more technicality than just pure aggression and guitarist Kit Reeve shreds through the finale with a guitar solo that shows off a level of talent that was barely hinted at before. All of this is drawn neatly together by Rio Hellyer’s simplistic yet tight bass riffs. If there is any justice in the world then this song will be massive party hit and if ‘Screech Bats’ are able to write more songs of this quality then record number three looks set to be very special indeed.