Sophomore albums are the bane of every self-respecting artist – the make-or-break point even for the best musicians. It’s a challenge that post-punk rockers and enigmatic misfits SEX BEAT now face. Stripping back their production aesthetic in favour of a more rough-and-ready sound, Crack sees the band return to basics.
Don’t worry, though – their trademark elements are still here: singer Florian Pühs trades catchy vocal lines with bassist Rosa Merino Claros’ harmonic hooks, and the guitars remain loud and dirty throughout. This time, however, the band step away from the poppier leanings of their debut album Call Me. Though punchy singles like ‘TMKNO’ and ‘No Wah Wah’ still land with force, some of the infectious, addictive charm that defined earlier work is missing. Still, Crack offers short hits and a lot of rock.
★★★★
