Often pegged as indie pop, it would be easy to denounce PINS as another addition to the jangle scene's long, tenuous list of so-called revivalists. Yet the Manchester quartet's sound more often lends itself to agitated punk than the fey posturing associated with indie pop, particularly on the band's 2013 debut 'Girls Like Us': jangle pop comparisons are only subtly evidenced in the contrast between instrumental brittleness and occasional harmonies, and singer Faith's forceful refrains are anything but sugary or hushed.
The habit of lumping female rock groups into the more inoffensive, 'sentimental' bracket of indie is a recurring theme, but make no mistake – PINS are first and foremost a punk band with a propensity for melody and texture, and it's this pop sensibility that really shines through on 'Wild Nights'. While 'Girls Like Us' was a gripping debut of tempered, belligerent post-punk, their melodic instinct was distinctly amiss and, fundamentally, there was a real lack of memorable songs.
Still, the band exuded promise. Those grimy instrumentals and an ear for a good hook were sentient before, but loom even larger here; opener 'Baby Bhangs' very much carrying on where 'Girls Like Us' left off – moody, abrasive, and a riff that's far dirtier than previous efforts – only to be counteracted by the sprightly, poppy brilliance of 'Young Girls'. Their newfound optimism is a welcomed juncture, while the inclusion of more placid songs like the contemplative coo of 'If Only' and 'Everyone Says' add nuance to the chaos of most tracks here.
Although not exactly pared down, production is fine and not too polished. Lyrically, the band remain less adept than they are at crafting unfailing punk-tinged ditties, with all their vigour going into the instrumental side of things. Take the swaggering lull of 'Curse These Dreams', which recalls The Stone Roses but with added sass. Stand out 'Dazed By You' triumphs where the majority of 'Girls Like Us' failed: melodic and abrasive in equal measure, in the same way that The Buzzcocks' mix of smart, simple melodies and cutting youthful petulance prevailed.
Less caustic than their debut, and more of a 'pop' record in tone, PINS still have a long way to go, but they've essentially done what few bands achieve on their second album: made a record more focused and measured while retaining rawness and negating the use of effusive production. More importantly, though, they're as badass as ever.
7/10
Words: Hayley Scott
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