PAWS is the fourth release by Boston’s Beat Awfuls, and it is a synthy, distorted, dissonant dream. Packaging up a ‘punk rock ethos’ in a sound that is jangle pop, shoegaze and garage rock melted into one, the album is as fun and colourful as its quirky cover. However, the title ‘PAWS’ is actually an acronym for ‘Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome’ - the after-effects of substance misuse - which draws our attention to the serious subject matter of its lyrics, despite how witty they may be. This lyrical light and shade addresses addiction in a charming, hopeful way. LT

Out now on Youth Culture