I reviewed Leeds-based band Nervous Twitch’s fourth album Some People Never Change back in 2022, so it was a lovely surprise when I received a message from singer Erin asking if I’d like to review their newest release — the rather relatably titled The Day Job Gets in The Way.
On first listen, it’s clear that Nervous Twitch haven’t lost their knack for making everyday frustrations sound like joyful rebellion. Where their previous record carried a sort of “less-angry riot grrrl” energy, this one feels looser, more playful — but just as punchy. If I had to draw a comparison, I’d say it shares some DNA with The Slits: quirky, rough-edged punk with a DIY soul. Still, the band have carved out something distinctly their own — a sound that’s scrappy yet melodic, unpolished but instantly infectious.
The production has a charmingly rough-around-the-edges, almost vinyl feel — like something you’d stumble across in a second-hand record shop and instantly fall in love with. Erin’s vocals sit sweetly atop the wiry guitars and driving rhythm section, giving even the more biting lyrics an unexpected warmth.
Don’t be fooled by that sweetness, though. The Day Job Gets in The Way still packs a punch. Track “Some People Have It All” clocks in at just under a minute — a 50-second burst of pure frustration and energy. “Don’t Get In Touch” takes things up another notch with its frantic guitar line and brilliantly scathing chorus: “Boy don’t get in touch, you’ve got my number, don’t call me up.” It’s that perfect mix of attitude and melody that Nervous Twitch do so well — sharp enough to sting but catchy enough to chant along with.
Then there’s “Game You’re Playing,” another standout, where Erin’s calm-but-firm delivery makes the line “I won’t play the game you’re playing” feel both like a warning and a liberation. The themes — setting boundaries, walking away, refusing to be pulled into other people’s drama — will resonate with anyone who’s ever tried to carve out their own peace in a noisy world.
Throughout, the album captures the tension of trying to balance passion and obligation — those moments where your creativity is bubbling under the surface but, well, the day job gets in the way. It’s defiant, relatable, and very human — the perfect soundtrack for the artists, dreamers, and 9-to-5 rebels among us.
With The Day Job Gets in The Way, Nervous Twitch continue to prove they’re one of the UK’s most refreshingly authentic punk bands — no gimmicks, no gloss, just raw, melodic honesty.
The Day Job Gets In The Way is out now and you can buy it via Bandcamp
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Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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