A third guitarist changes a band’s angle. Santa Claws put that fact at the centre of "Sands Of Time". The Brittany five-piece return with a self-produced second album. Crunchy guitars, close arrangements and rich analogue texture fill its frame. It draws on 1990s rock energy. However, the current lineup brings a clear point of view. This "Sands Of Time" album review starts with the expanded formation:...

I don’t know who the people behind OpCritical actually are, but their furious debut single "Not My America" hits with the blinding, aggressive clarity of a panic attack on a collapsing bridge. They’ve intentionally kept their identities hidden, claiming the members don't matter, only the message. And that message is absolutely dripping with exhaustion. https://open.spotify.com/album/3oSp8znP2ZplaOlGWAd8XR?si=47c49b602c7c4680 The track is a blistering, skate-punk barrage. Fast-paced, heavily distorted sonic...