New York’s The Bobby Lees have built their reputation the long way round, through relentless touring and a catalogue that feels more scraped together than carefully assembled, which is precisely the appeal. A fourth album, and a first for a bigger label, might suggest a smoothing-out of those rough edges. It doesn’t really happen. ‘Napoleon’ opens with guitars pushed high in the mix, drums snapping into a tight, almost claustrophobic pattern while Sam Quartin delivers lines in short bursts that feel half-spoken, half-spat. Their take on ’50ft Queenie’ keeps the lurching rhythm intact but roughens the tone, bass slightly distorted, everything sitting just a fraction off-centre. ‘New Self’ loosens the tempo, letting the rhythm section breathe a bit more. It’s direct, certainly, but it lands.
Highly recommended. That band you saw backing Jon Spencer recently – that was the Bobby Lees!
For The Bobby Lees, their fourth album and Epitaph debut marks a thrilling new chapter for the band while doubling down on what’s always made them so magnetic. The Bobby Lees don’t need much in the way of introduction.
The Fat Angel Sings 
All you had to say was “That band you saw backing Jon Spencer recently – that was the Bobby Lees!” And I’m sold