Ditz – Space/Smile (2024)
I’m relishing the slew of post-punk bands emerging at the minute and none more than Brighton quintet Ditz. Following up their 2022 debut ‘The Great Depression’ and touring with the unstoppable force that is IDLES, they have a brand new album on the horizon Never Exhale and with the new single ‘Space/Smile’, they’re priming us for something special.
Straight out the traps, a drumbeat with military precision takes hold, accompanying the raw dirty guitar with a sound that is at its core tribal held together with rage and passion. The chant of lead vocalist C.A Francis comes in and takes control like a General holding court with their troops. There is something poetic about the lyrics “Grey skies couldn’t clear up, let’s put on a happy face, let’s all dance together and drink from the same cup”, it strangely embodies a feeling of community weathering the metaphorical storm we’ve all been in at some point. Coming in at 1 minute and 48 seconds ‘Space/Smile’ is a great example of how well short bursts of rage work when channelled in the right way.
Influenced by some of my personal favourite noise rock and post-punk bands, IDLES and Pissed Jeans are in my opinion evident from just hearing ‘Space/Smile’. Having been lucky enough to see both IDLES and Pissed Jeans live this year, I know more than most music with this ferocity needs to be seen live as it adds another layer to it with a symbiotic relationship between the act and the crowd, which only fuels the intensity. Thankfully I won’t have to wait long to experience it as Ditz is heading out on tour across the UK and Europe. This accompanied by the release of Never Exhale on 24th January next year, 2025 looks to be a defining year for a band I’d consider to be the future of British noise!
Find out more about Ditz on their Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
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