I first came across Leeds five-piece Tiger Island (which has to rank as one of the coolest band names ever, in my opinion) back at the start of 2024 when I reviewed their EP Looka Looka Looka (keeping with the theme of cute and cool titles). I fell in love with it straight away, and the catchy, sass-filled songs from that EP have remained on regular rotation ever since. So when the band got in touch to tell me they were releasing their debut album Let’s Go Out, I was very excited to hear it.
Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. Looka Looka Looka was an excellent EP, but Let’s Go Out feels like Tiger Island taking everything that worked there and turning it up a notch. The hooks are bigger, the guitars hit harder, and the whole thing races along with an infectious energy that I would describe as punk with a cheeky smile.
The singles are perfect examples of that. Perhaps they’re the obvious songs to start with, but they’re singles for a reason. First there’s ‘Find Out Who You Are (and Do It On Purpose)’, which I reviewed earlier this year (a rarity for me, as I generally prefer writing album reviews to singles). Inspired by a Dolly Parton quote and accompanied by a delightfully Scooby-Doo-esque video, it’s a total bop packed with infectious pop-rock energy.
Then there’s ‘Not Dead Yet’, which I absolutely adore. The song charges forward on a wave of guitars and features one of my favourite choruses I’ve heard this year: “Fuck about, find out, don’t forget you’re not dead yet.” It’s a rousing, life-affirming anthem with a brilliant bass build-up towards the end before launching back into full-blown Tiger Island chaos.
As for the songs that weren’t released as singles, to put it simply, there isn’t a weak moment here. Let’s Go Out bursts out of the gate with ‘Comments Boy’, immediately establishing the album’s fast-paced, guitar-driven energy. Elsewhere, ‘Guilty Pleasures’ is a personal highlight. Built around a driving riff that has completely burrowed its way into my brain, it somehow manages to sound both huge and playful, especially when it drops into a wonderfully cheeky “doo doo doo” section. It’s impossible not to get swept along by it.
What I particularly enjoy about Let’s Go Out is that beneath all the hooks, humour and singalong moments, there’s something more substantial going on. The album celebrates friendship, connection and embracing the messy unpredictability of life, while also acknowledging the dangers of shutting yourself away from the world. Whether tackling social isolation, difficult relationships, mental health struggles or simply the joy of a great night out, Tiger Island never lose sight of the importance of human connection.
Overall, Let’s Go Out is a vibrant, colourful album bursting with personality. It’s packed with memorable hooks, sharp songwriting and enough energy to power a night out all by itself. I can’t help but smile while listening to it, and it’s almost impossible to sit still once the songs get going. Most of all, it feels like an album made by a band who genuinely love what they do, and I suspect these songs are going to sound absolutely massive in a live setting.
Let’s Go Out is out now and you can get it on Bandcamp
Tiger Island Socials-Facebook/Instagram
Written by Hayley Foster da Silva
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