I caught the band Congratulations supporting The Subways towards the end of last year, and I immediately fell in love with them. They put on an amazing live show filled with bright colour, dance moves, fun, and attitude in equal measure. I was so impressed I was looking up their music online as soon as I got home. The foursome have been dubbed “the punk Power Rangers,” and I can absolutely imagine using their music as a force to fight evil.
So I was delighted to get the chance to review their debut album, Join Hands. It’s a record that’s hard to pin down to a single genre, because Congratulations don’t seem interested in fitting into any kind of neat little box. Instead, they happily mish-mash different styles together to create something that feels completely their own.
Single “Fought for Love” is a blend of ’80s-style pop and glam-rock guitar riffs, topped off with a chorus that will stick in your head for days. “This Life” pulls together electro, funk, punk, dance, and a melodic pop hook, showing just how effortlessly the band bounce between sounds without losing their identity. Congratulations cite Madonna, Prince, and Devo as core influences, and that ’80s spirit definitely runs through the album, but it never feels retro or nostalgic for the sake of it. Instead, it sounds bright, modern, and full of life.
Across the album, there’s a sense of playfulness and freedom, like the band are giving themselves permission to follow whatever musical idea feels right in the moment. One track leans more into synth-pop, another into punky energy, another into dancefloor grooves, but it all hangs together thanks to their strong hooks and infectious enthusiasm.
What really stands out is how much personality shines through. You can almost picture the neon colours, the choreography, and the big smiles from their live show while listening to the record. There’s a joy and theatricality here that feels refreshing, especially in a scene that can sometimes take itself a bit too seriously.
Join Hands is a fun, vibrant debut that refuses to sit still or stick to one sound. It’s colourful, catchy, and full of energy—just like the band themselves—and it feels like the start of something exciting.
Join Hands is released this Friday or you can pre order on Bandcamp
You can catch Congratulations live over the next few weeks- see the dates here
Congratulations Socials-Facebook/Instagram
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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