ALBUM REVIEW: Sports Team - Boys These Days

Sports Team’s third album ‘Boys These Days’ swaps their chaotic, self-assured Indie style for a more reflective and considered approach. The album opens strongly with ‘I’m In Love (Subaru)’, a laid-back confessional love song driven by a shiny saxophone riff. When Alex Rice tells us "the show runner’s late to the set" it feels familiar and warm, and straight from the off its clear The 1975’s 2022 single ‘Happiness’ was on rotation in the studio when this song was written.

Like a teenager about to finish high school, Sports Team are trying new things. ‘Moving Together’ samples the Coronation Street theme, providing the intro for a heartfelt reflection on growing into adult life. There’s lyrics about mundane activities such as "shopping lists" and "train delays", which combined with the soft instrumentation, shed greater light on the meaning of the song rather than the sound. 

The record finds its stride when ‘Condensation’ bursts on to stage, effortlessly gaining attention and making you want to move your body. ‘Sensible’ follows suit, another great song that sounds like it only took a few minutes to write (the sign of a good song). A throw away reference to "dancing to Fred Again" highlights the unique ability of this band to make music that’s relatable, yet not cheesy. 

‘Planned’ is a drop in intensity and drive in an otherwise high energy, engaging run of songs that make up the middle third of this album. ‘Bang Bang Bang’ blasts through the saloon bar doors, in this western inspired textbook Sports Team banger. Although out of place amongst the songs it sits besides, it will grab you from the second you hear it and is undoubtedly a highlight of the record. 

The depressing happiness of ‘Head to Space’ explores similar themes to earlier track ‘Moving Together’, a song that beneath its jolly disposition lies a sense of doom. ‘Boys These Days’ is Sports Team’s third album and represents a transition period for the band. Growing up is a key theme explored across this record and is at the forefront of album closer ‘Maybe When We’re Thirty’. Cinematic in its production, you can imagine this track accompanying the closing scenes of a Sally Rooney adaptation.