Snapped Ankles - Come Play the Trees (2017)

After the towering heights of those massive cuts, the album deflates a little too clumsily into 'Tuesday Makes Me Cry' and 'The Invisible Real That Hurts'. The former, an industrial, pulsing beast, would have sat more comfortably the first half. The latter, the album's weakest, is a bit too much of a clunky LCD Soundsystem-meets-Talking Heads ode to fit the LP's mould. But the second half is saved by a revamped version of one of Snapped Ankles earliest singles, 'True Ecology', a sharp disco-punk onslaught with enough grit in its rakish pop chorus to keep you coming back over and over again.

There is mischief at nearly every turn in Come Play The Trees. In its prickliest, most colourful corners you find the same ‘right-on’ notions that Arcade Fire tried and failed to convey in the cynical implosion of self-righteous mud that was Everything Now. Arcade Fire's commentary on some vague authority came off looking like an undercover cop trying to wield a joint. Snapped Ankles have achieved this seamlessly, likely by complete accident, and without even a hint of bullshit.

This album represents the outlandish innovation and fun that defines so many of the UK's independent arts and music collectives, and does so with a smile on its face and a sharp wooden tongue driven firmly into its cheek. Snapped Ankles, and many more like them, whether they would care to admit it or not, stand for that which enriches the blood of our wonky creative corners. Long may the likes of them clatter.