Albums to watch

Combat Sports

The Vaccines

Combat Sports

Fourth album from the West London indie rock band now operating as a five-piece after drummer Pete Robinson left

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
Columbia
UK Release date
30/03/2018
US Release date
30/03/2018
  1. 9.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    An accomplished effort on which a back to basics approach has allowed them to hit their stride once more, Combat Sports reaffirms The Vaccines as one of the most exciting British bands around
    Read Review

  2. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    The Vaccines fall back into a familiar groove: exuberant, no-frills indie rock suitable for the dance floor and headlining festival slots
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   Q

    Retooled indie rockers rediscover their verve. Print edition only

  4. 8.0 |   NME

    On their fourth album, The Vaccines return battle-scarred but buoyant
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   The Independent

    A great return for The Vaccines, and an album that will soar at their live shows
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   DIY

    The excitement, freedom, and, perhaps, relief of a band rejuvenated
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    Instinctive, top-drawer garage rock
    Read Review

  8. 7.9 |   Paste Magazine

    A high-flying LP that attempts to recapture the days when their songs were short and the guitar solos were loud, a reset button for the band and fans alike
    Read Review

  9. 7.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    The Vaccines may not be reinventing themselves on the wider scale, and though self-awareness may not be enough to save it – perhaps it is a shadow that is too large and too looming to escape – digestible indie-pop is what they are good at
    Read Review

  10. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    Each song has a short guitar solo, while riffs and hooks abound, in stories of combative love and sex couched in Young’s characteristically wry lyrics
    Read Review

  11. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    On album number four, British pop/rockers the Vaccines get back to doing what they think they do best. Much of the time, they're right
    Read Review

  12. 6.0 |   Uncut

    It's no drastic reinvention, but the PRS cheques keep on coming. Print edition only

  13. 6.0 |   The Arts Desk

    Combat Sports may not sound original to anyone with a sense of musical history, but that’s not really the point
    Read Review

  14. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Fizzy fun that won’t rot your teeth. Print edition only


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Latest Reviews

More reviews