Album review: Dream Nails – Doom Loop

When a band changes their vocalist it can lead them down different paths: one that galvanises them to unlock the potential they always had, or they trudge their way through nothingness trying to work out who they are still. For Dream Nails, luckily, the former applies. After, introducing us to new vocalist Ishmael Kirby and signing with Marshall, the queercore punks have unleashed their second offering, Doom Loop. Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, it's a vibrant mix of raw punk power and introspective lyrics that offers a cathartic journey through the world of Dream Nails.

The opening jangly heights of Good Guy start proceedings in riotous style, cracking open the abhorrent nature of incel culture. From the very start, Dream Nails have this infectious ability to combine powerful storytelling with upbeat punk jams tailor-made for bopping along to.

Elsewhere, Doom Loop delves into patriarchal systems, social inequality, and what it’s like being part of the LGBTQ+ community in a time of unjust political scrutiny. They tackle these issues with unapologetic honesty, encouraging listeners to confront their own emotions and experiences. Femme Boi points out the expectations bestowed upon trans-masc people, while Sometimes I Do Get Lonely, Yeah showcases their unyielding spirit, demanding empowerment and equality in the face of adversity.

It all transcends genre boundaries, offering a unique blend of punk, pop, and riotous energy. With Doom Loop, Dream Nails prove once again that they are a force to be reckoned with in the punk scene, and they possess the ability to inspire and empower listeners to face life head-on.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Bikini Kill, Amyl And The Sniffers, Lambrini Girls

Doom Loop is out now via Marshall

Read this: Dream Nails: “Queer punks are here. Black punks are here. Trans punks are here… Back us, we back ourselves”