Full of anxiety, heartbreak, and confidence, Amyl And The Sniffers’ third album, Cartoon Darkness, is a sharp and fun one. Review.
CARTOON DARKNESS – AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS
For their third album, Cartoon Darkness, the Australians of Amyl And The Sniffers aren’t afraid to create the surprise. I know that might sound like an easy hook, but walk with me. The surprise comes late—because otherwise, is it really one? Indeed, the band kicks off with a saturated and dark sound, a hypnotic flow, and biting lyrics. Jerkin’ is a pure punk opener that perfectly flips a middle finger at critics and trolls, while Chewing Gum explores the foolishness of love—sometimes sweet, despite the burns. By the time we get to Tiny Bikini—perfectly balancing sarcasm, provocation, and cheekiness—there’s still no sign of anything unexpected.
And then it shifts. Big Dreams is striking! Quieter, the track brims with nostalgia, regret, melancholy… and hope for breaking out of a vicious cycle. It’s soothing and almost tender. Naturally, the band balances it out with a hardcore blast of cathartic, raging energy in It’s Mine and the funnier, freer, sexier Motorbike Song. The sound aligns perfectly with what we expect from the group, but the sequencing? It’s astonishing! Side by side, these songs race by at breakneck speed. Doing in Me Head then lands next with a truly anthemic chorus I also wasn’t expecting.
Do I need to mention that Amyl And The Sniffers is a deeply feminist band, concerned about climate and political change? With Pigs, the band doubles down, hammering home their disdain for conformity. And, as if to prove their point with a touch of irony, they follow up with their most pop song yet, Bailing On Me. Did I see that coming? Absolutely not. But once again, it works! U Should Not Be Doing That comes in swinging like a knockout punch. No one’s going to tell Amy Taylor what she can or can’t do—she does know her worth. However, she’s also going to push us to act with Do It Do It and the darker, moodier Going Somewhere.
Amyl And The Sniffers bring Cartoon Darkness to a close with the fun, feminist-tinged Me and My Girls. It’s not perfect, but it calls us to let go—and it feels fantastic!
