It’s happening, the debut album from the Norwegian four piece Sløtface is finally here.

They give us Try Not To Freak Out which consists of 10 bouncing, exuberant and charismatic tracks that embodies the sights, sounds and emotions of their fresh generation. Made up of bassist Lasse Lokøy, drummer Halvard Skeie Wiencke (Hal), guitarist Tor-Arne Vikingstad and Haley Shea on vocals, Sløtface are together full of ample sass and about to take us on a righteous ride with this collection.

“The main thread of the album is never feeling that you’re in the right place, or that you’re not doing the right thing, which I think is a common thing in your twenties when you’re trying to figure out what you wanna do with your life,” says singer Haley Shea.

We start with something familiar, Magazine, which opens with a surge of energy. They don’t waste any time throwing burly guitars and drums right at you, as Shea is launching her vivacious vocals into the mix. “Patti Smith would never put up with this shit”, is the iconic line, referring how publications are producing distorted body image standards. Take this is a compliment, this fast paced track is giving me some Sum 41 Fat Lip feels, especially the start of it, as it holds the same vigorous attitude.

This continues with Galaxies, but in a more subtle way, a more stripped back in Sløtface style. Verses are more minimal yet chorus charge up, as it graciously transitions into Pitted, the next released single from their debut. It has all the first-world angst that you want from a pop-punk anthem. Ballistic trumpets in the middle make it that more vibrant and surely will be an invitation for crowds to utilise their energy at shows. It could be the soundtrack for a classic American high school movie that they freely admit of loving.

Sun Bleached picks off where Galaxies started, with stripped back raw guitars and self assessing lyrics as it shifts in and out heavy moments. Shea explains, “I’m one of those typical over-achievers that’s trying to convince themselves that you can always do more and be better and the only reason that you’re failing at things is because you’re not working hard enough.” Pools references this chaotic nature of being out of control in your environment. Its succinct drum beat and building guitars are the recipe for a catchy punk moment.

Night Guilt & Try follow with the notion of feeling and dealing with insecurities and anxieties. Always a tough thing to express, they do it justice with a relentless passion. Lyrics rocket through and guitars as exhilarating as ever, a combination that the band has continued to meticulously dominate.

Nancy Drew is layered vocals, fierce guitars and strong references to 2000’s emo-pop-punk. As these things radiate through out, the song is direct and hard hitting. A signature by this stage of the album. Through to Slumber, a fresh approach towards the end. A standout track just because it is far step away from what they have shown us thus far.

We end up with Backyard and leave the same way we came in, with boisterous fearlessness. “We are adventuring in our back yard” yells on repeat and with that energy and unity it defines the spark that is Sløtface. The formula is simple yet genius which makes it at times frustrating, they make it look easy.

As a whole the album is raw and unpretentious. The band’s energy is infectious and unstoppable as they delivered what they set out to, a concise group of manic and gracious songs about relatable topics. At times I found some moments repetitive but that’s not always a bad thing. Consistence with their sound and approach is something artists work on for years perfecting so huge props to them for building to their strengths. If they continue on this road, they will continue to be an unstoppable force.