Hitchin’s queer indie rockers Brutalligators have released second album ‘Still Here’, a collection of songs about survival, identity and moving forward while grappling with complex emotions, divisive culture wars and everything else life throws at you…

The title track kicks off the album in uptempo fight pop style – instantly reminding you of Martha as the band talk of regret and pondering exactly what you should say to a loved on in tougher times, albeit backed by a defiant shout of ‘I’m still here’. ‘Get Better’ follows with its celebration of indie discos and queerness: ‘I lost myself in England, found again in San Francisco’. ‘Hold Fast’ is slower as Luke Murphy sings about missing someone with the rawness of The Hotelier: ‘I made a change or two to the house, I had to full all your space somehow’.

There are Johnny Foreigner vibes running through the thrashing and frantic ‘Trainwreck, complete with a sense of self-deprecation: ‘My life’s a punchline’. ‘Nice Try’ veers more into the twinkly side of emo with the words ‘I’m still here and I’m alive’ being delivered with emotion as Luke compares themselves to the other people in their life who (seemingly) have everything figured out. This confusion of adulting and what it means continues through to the punk-meets-Britpop sound of ‘What’s Next’, before ‘Can’t Sleep’ brings in a healthy dose of Reuben-esque screaming.

‘Safe Haven’ is darker and more atmospheric while ‘Wrong Words’ finds the band looking back over disagreements and learning from them. The post rock-inspired ‘Giving Up’ finishes the record with a flourish as Luke pleads to ‘Let me be the right one’.

Despite everything, Brutalligators are still here making snappy, sharp and superb songs. You’ll be so thrilled they’re ‘Still Here’.