Indie Light

Pet Needs are a four piece alt/punk outfit from Colchester, Essex and today I’m fortunate enough to be reviewing their album ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ which was released February 16th 2024.

‘How Are You?’ opens up the album with a really interesting track, it’s fast and frenzied, and it immediately sets the tone, the building energy and momentum of the track reinforcing the vibe as well. I recently reviewed some tracks by Luke Westaway, and while his music is softer, and more melodic, it also captures this raw, existential angst and worry. I really liked this intro, very rarely have I felt such an immediate understanding and kinship with a band as with this opening entry. 

‘Separation Anxiety’ hammers forward, picking up on the palpable energy of the previous number and elevating it even further. It is a truly spectacular number, the powerful drums and thrashing strings, all blending together with the lead vocals. You get absolutely swept up in the momentum of this track, and yet it’s not just the energy that makes this track so vital. It’s the personality, which shines through, all backed up by some incredible instrumental performances.

‘Fingernails’ slows things down just a touch, at least off the bat, it waits a moment, before exploding forward again. I really like the balance of the heavy hammering instrumentals and the melodic vocals, particularly since the performance captures such a profound foreboding and distress throughout. I really like what I’ve heard so far, because not only are they just phenomenal musicians but they have such a distinct and palpable identity that flows throughout their tracks. 

‘The Age That You Were’ is heavy and fast, I like the blending between the other vocalists, and the lead vocalists, the harmonies merging together creating a really engaging performance. The energy of this track is just amazing, you get caught up in it, and it refuses to let you go. I like to be positive here on Indie Light, but very rarely have I been so impressed with a band as I have been with Pet Needs. 

‘Self-Restraint’ kicks things off with high intensity guitars, they just go absolutely mad, and the bleeding energy of the performance fills you up. The lead vocalist has a lightness to his voice, a captivating tone that matches the energy of the instrumental backing without seeming like he’s even trying. As with the previous track, a personal highlight of this track, other than the amazing guitars and percussion is the blending of the vocals, which really help to elevate the track even further. 

‘Lucid’ opens with light strings, and melodic vocals, slower than the past couple of tracks, it really works, and also helps to provide a little balance amongst a few frenzied tracks. Of course, it does build but more gradually, and it’s really rewarding seeing the track build. It’s very close, but I think this track is probably my favourite on the album. 

‘Sleep When I’m Dead’ has some frenzied high energy strings that just kick absolute ass, you get caught up in the melody, and then the vocals kick in and things get even better if that’s possible. I love the balance between the instrumentals and the vocals, the sections where one or the other gets to shine, and then when they come together, the result is a well balanced and richly textured performance that literally makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. 

‘The Optimist’ slows things down again, a melodic and distressed vocal performance before things build, and the percussive and bass contributions to this track were a particular highlight. They helped to add the perfect level of intensity to the track. I think this comes very close behind ‘Lucid’ as one of my personal favourites on the album. 

‘Trip’ much like several of the songs on this album, has a superb balance of melody and sheer power, but also there’s nuance and introspection woven throughout that makes the full thing very rewarding. I’m so glad I came across Pet Needs on Instagram because they are absolutely exceptional. 

‘The Burning Building’ kicks things off with a frenzied fusion of vocals and instrumentals, more so than the past few tracks this one is absolutely relentless, evoking exactly the type of energy and momentum one would have if they were actually performing in a burning building. I really like the narrative and comic undertone woven throughout these tracks. 

‘Buried Together’ ends things on a softer note, light guitar chords and lighter vocals all coming together as well, see the album out. I’ve been absolutely wowed by the whole album, the vocals are superb, and the guitar, bassist and drummer are all tremendous and even in this closing track which slows things down just a touch, they all absolutely continue to deliver. I also like that each of them gets a spotlight in this final number, reinforcing just how incredibly talented and well balanced the entire band is as a whole. 

So that’s what I thought of Pet Needs album ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ and you can check that out for yourself over on Spotify. While you’re at it, make sure and support the band by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.