Salvation Jayne have dropped their widely anticipated debut record. Released last Friday, A Mouthful of Magnificent Spite solidifies the group’s exciting indie-rock sound.
The band are in their element on their debut. This record will likely act as a significant addition to, rather than a conclusion of, the hype they’ve accumulated in recent months.
After an exciting brewing period that saw the Kent-based group receive praise from across the music media, ‘A Mouthful of Magnificent Spite’ has arrived to welcoming arms. Many fans have been keen to see what the band could do on a full length album.
As we were led to assume by the record’s proceeding singles, fuzzy and distorted tones take centre stage. They make several appearances throughout the record, with tracks like ‘Violence Silence’ and ‘Cody’ particularly showcasing the bands more aggressive styles. The record’s opener, ‘Apathetic Apologies’ also exemplifies the band’s ability to fly out the starting blocks and, in many ways, it sets the tone for the album as a whole.
The album is pop-punk by its nature, and takes influences from across the contemporary pop-punk and indie rock scenes. Elements of Wolf Alice are present on the records slower moments (‘Burn it Down’, ‘Diadem’) while soaring choruses (‘Drink You Down’, ‘No Antidote’) and drum-heavy verses (‘Cody‘, ‘I Am Simply Not What You Thought’) evoke the likes of Muse and Fall Out Boy. The LP’s stand out tune is the title track. ‘A Mouthful of Magnificent Spite’ proceeded the record’s release as a single and sees the band in full flow. It seems to best exemplify the band’s togetherness. At times it sounds as tight as a Buzzcocks tune, but adds a further reaching layer of expansion to its sound. Summed up, it’s a certified banger.
The record also makes its mark lyrically. Much of the lyricism reflects issues faced by society today; issues of mental health, vanity and work life frustrations are examined amongst those of toxic relationships, skewed popularity and the coronavirus pandemic. Salvation Jayne are clearly a band that want their music to mean something to people, and their open, reflective lyrics allow them to do just that.
While much of the lyricism expresses anger or discontent at the world, ’Poveglia’ – named after the Italian island on which it’s set – does something different entirely. It’s a love song that centres around two lost souls who find peace in isolation. The softer subject matter lends the tune to the role of curtain-closer; and performs the it fantastically. Musically, it travels a long way in its near 9 minute runtime; weaving its way through gentle minimalism and sweeping atmospherics. The tune’s expansive instrumentation and human subject matter results in a pleasurable closer.
Prior to this record, a catalogue of singles and gigs had all played their part in adding to the excitement that surrounded the quintet. Having been just under two years since the band’s formation, it feels like the A Mouthful of Magnificent Spite is coming at the right time.
Fans will be pleased to know that they are due to take the album on the road later this month. The tour starts in London on 26.02.22 and continues with dates across the UK throughout March.