Album Review: Soaper - Bubbledumb

I daresay there’s a fair few people other than me who’ve been looking forward to the debut full-length album by Soaper for quite some time now. The Sleaford two-piece have been instrumental (pardon the pun) in the Lincoln and wider music scene for a number of years, either in this iteration or another – a few people not brand new to our scene may remember the pretty successful Bear Makes Ninja as being THAT band you hoped were playing on a night you could make it to a show, and Soaper are no different in their well-deserved popularity. Their expertly crafted blend of punk, grunge and math-rock has become a signature sound to many local – and wider – shows, and believe me when I say, these guys can really hold their own with their ability as both musicians and writers. Bubbledumb has been released for public consumption by the time you’re reading this, and I don’t think there was ever going to be much doubt that it’d rip, but just in case there’s anyone new to Soaper, or, weirdly, if there’s anyone out there doubtful they would deliver, let me assure you that Bubbledumb is a well-crafted musical delight that is very much worth your time and money.

Bubbledumb was recorded using, largely (from what I understand) crowd-funding to finance it – this speaks volumes (again, pun) about the band’s public perception and fan-base. They might have mates, sure, but it’d take more than just a handful of mates to part with hard-earned cash (especially in current financial bullshittery); it takes a genuine love from others of what you’re creating, from a lot of people, to be able to achieve what Soaper have achieved through this. This loyalty and trust from others is an advertisement in itself, a review before the album has even been heard by anyone but the band and those involved in

production, that there are no concerns Soaper were going to release anything less than top tier.

The first track, Waiting for Reverence, is a great choice to kick in with. It introduces the band nicely to newcomers, and I feel as though I wouldn’t be saying anything outlandish by saying that it’s one of their more notable tracks; probably the one that gets trapped in your head when you see them live with its warm, bright, fuzzy guitar, unbelievably tight and intricate drums, and an earworm of a vocal hook.

Reuben meets Nirvana next with Dead Air; another easily recognised hit from their standard live set. One of the more dirty/grungy/gross tracks off the release, and I mean that in a good way. Something that, even this early on, has struck me about Bubbledumb is the warm and layered mixing of the vocals. They give off an interesting and appropriate amount of “polish” to the sound without making the mix sound silly and overproduced.

Stop Learning, Say Anything, and Nothing Left come next bringing more of the formula, establishing a good consistency in sound for the album overall. Invisible follows with notably lovely guitar work, something that is achieved throughout the whole album without appearing wanky or showoffy. Pazu boasts a distinctive, characteristic chirpy groove, followed on by the mellow melodies of Breaking Up and the Billy Clyro-esque Hot Pocket. Tracks Sofa Gone and Supermilk remind me a bit of the early 90’s alt scene in bands like Helmet with their relentless, heavy, rhythm-driven power, before the title track comes round swinging us back to mathy goodness akin to Cleft. The finale, How Do I Give Up, adds a blanket of calm

and finality to the experience not a million miles away from Mew.

All in all, there are many ways to describe Bubbledumb, but you’d be hard pushed to describe it as in any way negative. I’m always a bit careful about comparing Band A to Bands B C D and E, and it’s very important for me to stress that, whilst I may have namedropped a few acts that I got vibes and reminders of, Soaper have achieved something unique and personal with Bubbledumb that doesn’t really rip anything off, despite the homages I perceive it may be making. It gives us 14 tracks, which is a pretty weighty load to

receive for a first release, and it does this without turning rambling or boring, demanding repeat playthroughs and musings, uncovering more depth and nuances with each listen.

This is one of those releases where you’re excited to introduce other people to and bask in the weird second-hand glory of introducing people to a cool new band. Oh have you heard of Soaper? You’re about to.

Reminded me most of: Billy Clyro, Nirvana, Reuben, Pulled Apart By Horses, TTNG.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc7ezt0xffE