{"id":27927,"date":"2026-02-06T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=27927"},"modified":"2026-02-04T18:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T18:04:28","slug":"the-molotovs-wasted-on-youth-marshall-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=27927","title":{"rendered":"The Molotovs – \u2018Wasted On Youth\u2019 (Marshall Records)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Molotovs came about through necessity and boredom during the heady days of Covid lockdown. Teenage siblings Mathew (vocals\/guitar) and Issie Cartlidge (bass\/vocals) started jamming, wrote some songs and formed a band. When the world opened up again, they gigged, and then they gigged some more. And they haven’t stopped since! 600 plus shows later, and they have a ferocious live reputation and friends in high places. A series of high-quality singles, gorilla gigs on flatbed trucks and shows with The Sex Pistols and Blondie finally led to the release of their highly anticipated debut album \u2018Wasted On Youth\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Molotovs unashamedly flaunt their influences over the course of the album. There are many short, sharp nods to Mod, Punk & New Wave and a heady dose of Brit Pop going on. Punk is certainly prevalent on gnarly opener \u2018Get A Life\u2019, a one-minute and forty-second diatribe aimed at the naysayers and the detractors. This angst-ridden mash-up of Weller and The Clash is just the sort of anthem that the disenchanted youth need to get behind. A perfect album opener, a great single choice, and the perfect introduction to the band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t help but reference The Jam while listening to \u2018Wasted On Youth\u2019, their influence is all over the likes of \u2018Newsflash\u2019 and \u2018Rhythm Of Yourself\u2019, even the emotive \u2018Nothing Keeps Her Away\u2019 brings to mind \u2018That’s Entertainment\u2019. While there is already a long line of old punks and journalists ready to bring The Molotovs down, I see no problem with anything they do. If the songs are good, then it’s good enough for me. And The Molotovs have some good songs. For a songwriter who has barely left school, Mat shows talent beyond his years; he has a lyrical suss and an ear for a catchy melody. The poignant and emotive \u2018Geraldine\u2019 recalls early Manics, with great use of structure and melody. And the title track is Frank Turner at his acerbic best. All leave their mark and warrant repeat listening. If I really want to be picky, they lose it slightly on \u2018Come On Now\u2019 and \u2018Popstar\u2019. Although both sound like early Adam & The Ants, they do feel a bit like fillers compared to the other tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But they make up for it elsewhere. With its ringing power chords and urgent beats, \u2018More More More\u2019 sounds vital. \u2018Daydreaming\u2019 is an anthemic Brit Pop pastiche, and album closer \u2018Today\u2019s Gonna Be Our Day\u2019 is a call to arms from one youth to another, a song that earns its crown and should feature in playlists worldwide by the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n