BULLY have been an intriguing prospect for a whole on account of the consistent manner in which they’ve turned in exquisitely crafted punk rock tracks that have highlighted the superb talents of Alicia Bognanno and her cohorts. With the anticipation steadily mounting toward the release of their debut album Feels Like, it’s safe to say that it hasn’t been a disappointment.

All at once catchy and dissonant, ‘I Remember’ gets their debut off to a flying start. Featuring detailed recanting of a derided love affair with both fondness and an acute understanding of why it all went awry; it recalls the back to basics, lo-fi approach that is regularly employed by Japandroids and Pissed Jeans.

Bursting with vim and vibrancy, ‘Reason’ is a gripping yet brief slice of poppy punk rock. Led by abrasive guitar lines and imposing drumming, the LP’s two opening gambits set the tone for what is purveyed throughout. propelled by a wonderfully disjointed take on alt-rock that briefly alludes to the disinterest and cynicism of Pavement, ‘Too Tough’ sees frontwoman Alicia Bognanno rein in her often primal vocals for the majority of the duration in favour of a more curtailed approach.

Segueing away from the more forthright end of the spectrum that they’d continuously inhabited and wading confidently into the realm of acts such as Sparklehorse and Grandaddy, ‘Brain freeze’ retains its punk credentials on account of Bognanno’s; once again, entirely bewitching vocals.

A slinking bassline and the adoption of a soothing tone enable the listener to be lulled into a false sense of security on ‘Trying’, before an uproarious chorus swiftly injects a sense of urgency. Presenting their signature sound in an incredibly rigorous manner, ‘Trying’ and the well constructed hook that serves as its focal point present the band in all of their clamorous glory.

The unnerving and rambunctious ‘Trash’ shows their willingness to eschew pop-centric ideals of song construction in favour of impassioned and agitated noise rock, whereas ‘Six’ brims with the kind of modern propensity for crafting personality filled punk that has seen contemporaries such as Twin Peaks, Cherry Glazerr and Speedy Ortiz thrive.

‘Picture’ is altogether cathartic and sees ‘Bognanno airing her many grievances and misgivings over a canvas of quintessentially grungy alt-rock, leaving the wholly unruly ‘Milkman’ to ramp up the intensity to near critical levels. Laden with the kind of assaulting guitar that falls between Therapy? And Mission Of Burma, it is ferocious while overflowing with a sense of unfettered exuberance.

The immediately attention seizing statement of ‘I’m Never Sleeping With You Again’ acts as the introduction to the record’s eponymous track, before its fuzz drenched riffs and brash percussion leads the album towards its final note.

A notable take-away from this record must be the pitch-perfect delivery of Bognanno, who seems to have garnered an almost eerie profiency for delivery exactly what each individual track requires right down to the letter.

Those that are quick to dismiss a 90’s influenced punk/alt rock outfit would no doubt inform you that Bully aren’t re-inventing the wheel, which is certainly true. To make a claim such as that would be to miss the goal of what the group have actually accomplished on their debut.

They haven’t redefined anything, but they’ve used their sound and its endearing qualities; of which there are many, to turn in an incredibly enjoyable record which is sure to gain them a great deal of respect amongst their peers and music fans alike.