Review: Strayers

Southampton grunge-punxs Strayers return swinging with Only Human, and it’s a ferocious, smartly controlled blast of modern grit that hits hard from the very first second. The track crashes in on ultra-fuzzed guitars and a pounding bass-and-drums assault, immediately planting its flag in heavy territory. But what really sets this apart is how refined the dynamics are. The quiet/soft moments aren’t just there for contrast - they build tension, creating a caged aggression that constantly threatens to explode into chaos… and then doesn’t. That restraint makes the impact even bigger.

There’s a surprising pop sensibility buried beneath the distortion, giving Only Human an addictive quality that sneaks up on you. It’s aggressive but sweet, raw yet melodic. When the breakdown hits and the band kick back in, it’s massive - one of those moments that clearly exists to level rooms live. The vocal layering is superb: growls, screams and harmonies stacked perfectly without ever sounding cluttered. And that outro? Pure nostalgia, tipping its hat toward peak-era Silverchair in the best possible way.

Flip it over and Rubberneck wastes no time grabbing you by the collar. Clever stuttering rhythms and ear-bending guitar lines drag the song forward in a way that feels deliberately uncomfortable - but totally gripping. This is where Strayers really show their chops, playing with tempo as much as volume and avoiding the tired fast/slow clichés entirely. It never feels disjointed; instead, it feels controlled, confident and tight as hell.

There’s a definite nod to early Feeder - back when they were at their most aggressive -but Strayers keep it firmly rooted in their own sound. It’s punchy, powerful and ridiculously catchy, packed with ideas yet wrapped up neatly in under four minutes.

Only Human proves Strayers are a band who understand heaviness isn’t just about volume - it’s about control, hooks and knowing exactly when to let things snap.

They may be Only Human…
but this one hits inhumanly hard.