The Bobby Lees are one of those bands who seem completely incapable of making a boring record. I reviewed their previous album Bellevue back in 2022 and enjoyed its chaotic energy, but I have to admit I like New Self even more. The Woodstock band’s fourth album feels bigger, punchier and more confident, while still retaining the wild spirit that makes them such an exciting listen.
The album arrives after a difficult period for the band. Towards the end of 2023, The Bobby Lees announced an indefinite hiatus as the realities of self-funding records and relentless touring began to take their toll. Thankfully, New Self sounds nothing like a band on the verge of burnout. Instead, it feels like a band returning with renewed energy and purpose, determined to push forward on their own terms.
Opening track ‘Give’ wastes absolutely no time. Heavy guitars crash in from the start and I can practically see the mosh pit forming in front of the stage. It’s an absolute banger of an opener and immediately sets the tone for what follows. ‘Napoleon’, released ahead of the album, continues that momentum with fast-paced spoken-word style vocals, sharp riffs and a restless energy that never lets up.
What I enjoy most about New Self is how punchy every single song feels. There isn’t really a weak moment on the album. While punk is undoubtedly part of the band’s DNA, this record often feels just as rooted in rock and roll. The Bobby Lees aren’t interested in sticking rigidly to one sound, and the result is an album that constantly keeps you on your toes.
‘Red Hot’ becomes increasingly unhinged as it unfolds, building towards a gloriously chaotic finale, while ‘Got Me Good’ strips things back slightly. It has a garage rock swagger that reminded me of The White Stripes, albeit with a much punkier edge. Meanwhile, ’50ft’ is built around a fantastic bassline that burrowed into my brain after a single listen and refused to leave.
The title track ‘New Self’ is another standout. Influenced by late 90s hip hop and nu metal, it sees the band experimenting without losing any of their identity. One of the things I love most about The Bobby Lees is Sam Quartin’s voice. She can snarl, half-rap and belt out a melody, often within the same song, creating a style that feels completely her own. It’s rough around the edges in all the right ways and perfectly suited to the band’s combination of punk attitude and rock and roll swagger.
Elsewhere, ‘All I Got’ initially feels like it might become one of the album’s slower moments, but it doesn’t take long before the guitars kick back in. What I particularly enjoyed about this track are the dreamier sections woven between the heavier moments, creating an atmosphere that feels almost hypnotic before the band inevitably crank the intensity back up again. Even songs like ‘The End’, which includes the wonderfully unexpected line “this is some Elvis Presley shit”, manage to balance humour, attitude and raw energy.
For an album born out of uncertainty, New Self sounds remarkably self-assured. The Bobby Lees have emerged from a challenging period sounding stronger than ever. Every song packs a punch, the performances are full of personality, and the band seem completely comfortable following their own instincts wherever they lead. If Bellevue showed what The Bobby Lees were capable of, New Self feels like the sound of a band fully hitting their stride.
Loud, scrappy, catchy and packed with attitude, New Self is easily one of the most enjoyable punk and rock and roll records I’ve heard this year.
New Self is out now and you can buy it on Bandcamp
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Written by Hayley Foster da Silva
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