Overdue return
Post punkers the Membranes are favourites of Steve Albini and were loved by John Peel back in the day and often cited as an influential band by other well known names (The Wedding Present, Big Black, My Bloody Valentine et al). They released this limited triple A-side single, their first in 22 years, for record store day through Louder Than War Records and it has all the hallmarks of the sound they were known for all those years ago; aggressive, scratchy, discordant, lo-fi and backed by throbbing bass lines. It's an interesting single as it feels like a long lost collection of tracks plucked straight from the 80s, like nothing has changed, but it also taps in to the revival of the 80s sound and feels relevant. These three tracks are energy filled and discordantly melodic gems, punk at their core but danceable and charming. It's a worthy return.