Album Review: Debut full length from SPRINTS Letter to Self is precocious
After a series of EP and single releases, Dublin-based SPRINTS released their debut LP, Letter to Self, via City Slang Records on January 5. It is a precocious album for a debut full length record.
Formed in 2019, the band initially consisted of Karla Chubb on vocals, guitarist Colm O’Reilly, and drummer Jack Callan. The band added bassist Sam McCann, and apparently clicked immediately, wasting no time. Their chemistry is clear and the band’s rapid progression is clearly prominent in their latest release.
The album kicks off with the first notes of Letter to Self with Callan’s heartbeat drums introducing the first track, “Ticking.” Strums from O’Reilley’s guitar accent the kick a few seconds in making for an undeniably powerful opening track..
The album continues with this intensity on “Heavy” and escalates further on “Cathedral,” building on the raw emotional content of the first two tracks, but also becomes a key defining point of the record. It would not be surprising to see the song get radio play.
The new LP resumes with this trajectory, at times briefly slowing down the tempo, then increasing the intensity. There is no low point of Letter to Self, a fiery discourse delivered in a complex-yet-direct fashion.
It’s difficult to sum up their sound in one word or assign a single genre to SPRINTS’ sound. Their music, led by Chubb’s vocals is raw and visceral. At their core, they are a punk band, but they are so much more. SPRINTS embodies a refined, modern offering, Overall, with Letter to Self, SPRINTS delivers a refreshing take on the best punk-inspired music from the 90’s.
The band describes the record on their Bandcamp page as follows: “SPRINTS’ debut album ‘Letter To Self’ embodies their substantial evolution over the past 3 years. Transforming pain into truth, passion into purpose and perseverance into strength, the Dublin four-piece have steadily grown in stature, releasing two acclaimed EPs and building a fearsome live reputation. ‘Letter To Self’ is the sound of SPRINTS consolidating and levelling up. Exhibiting their most vulnerable moments and imbuing their visceral garage-punk with a palpable sense of catharsis that we can all benefit from.”
Letter to self is fueled with angst, and filled to the brim with pathos, with “Literary Mind,” and “Up and Comer” being standout cuts.
When listening to Letter to Self, its difficult to believe this is the band’s first full-length. Since the inception of the group just over four years ago, this band has the potential to get even better. The sky is the limit for this Irish modern, punk rock act.
SPRINTS played SXSW in 2022, and is on the official artist list for this year. We anticipate these Dubliners will be a buzz act at this year’s festival. See the band’s complete tour schedule here.
Featured photo courtesy of SPRINTS
Listen to the full album and see the track list:
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