Adult DVD are a dance-punk band from Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom consisting of bassist George Manson, drummer Jonathan Newell, guitarist Danny Blackburn, backup synthesist Jake Williams, co-founding synthesist Greg Lonsdale & frontman Harry Hanson. Forming in the middle of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic when Harry & Greg were sending music to each other on the internet, they would eventually drop their debut extended play Fountain of Youth in 2023 & the follow-up Next Day Shipping arrived a year later. Signing to Fat Possum Records back in January, they’re ready for an eponymous full-length studio debut.
“Do As I Please” begins with this dance punk intro singing about nonconformity whereas “Coffin Dodger” keeps the dance punk revival vibes in tact so Harry can describe avoiding death. “Cold Caller” goes for a synth-punk direction suggesting that one can really get what they want just before Adult DVD treads the dance punk waters once more singing about waking up one day feeling serious & becoming what they call a “Minimal Criminal”.
The new rave-inspired 4th & final single “Jesus Christ Supercar” sings about feeling like the son of God under the influence of drugs while the 2nd single “Cowboy on Aisle 3” gets humorous with the songwriting to end the 1st leg of the band’s self-titled offering, embracing the dance punk aesthetics once more. “The Steaks are High” maintains the dance punk revivalism so Harry can observe the increasing pricing of beef while “World’s Best Boss” sings about only shaking this guy’s hand because he’s in charge of his job.
“All I Need” reaches the backend of Adult DVD’s inaugural LP with some of the most carefree dance punk throughout the entire half hour while “Ghillie Suit” would make one think of the late Prodigy frontman Keith Flint right when it instantly plays & I have no doubts that would’ve made him proud. “Real Tree Lee” introduced these guys as part of the Fat Possum roster with a lead single reminiscent of Fontaines D.C. mocking a secluded right-winger & the 3rd single “Rolling Face” ends in the form of this synth-punk outro singing about there once being comfort in sound & pleasure in the peace when time passed.
Citing The Prodigy amongst their biggest inspirations alongside LCD Soundsystem, this debut album elevates the potential we initially saw in Adult DVD when they initially formed & make a broader introduction to the dance punk revival, synth-punk & new rave ideas of their early EPs introducing a handful of different characters with massive egos for the purpose of thinking people would consider them assholes if they wrote from their own perspectives.
Score: 4/5
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