Scream Team’s “Modernist Panic!”: A Debut Album That Hits Like a Brick

Brentford’s band, Scream Team, have dropped their debut album Modernist Panic! and, honestly, it’s everything we hoped for and more. Following the runaway success of their debut single, “They Stole My Car,” which somehow hijacked the top of the charts on its release (a real hold-up, if you prefer!), the band has served up a full album that’s as cheeky, sharp, and relentless as their fans have come to expect.

For the uninitiated, Scream Team is what happens when you stick a punk attitude in an indie suit, splash on some absurd humor, and give it a megaphone. Frontman Kevin Lysander leads the charge with his trademark sung-sprechstimme delivery—half-sung, half-spoken, fully sardonic—backed by muscular guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and a steady stream of clever backing vocals.

If Modernist Panic! has a manifesto, it’s scrawled across the tracklist in bold letters. From the sly digs in “Art is Dead” to the post-party vibe of “Paycheck Party,” the band never stops poking fun at the absurdities of modern life. “Failed Revolution (But the T-Shirts Were Cool)” is exactly the kind of ironic commentary we’ve come to love from these lot, while “Youth Is Wasted on the Young” puts a bittersweet cap on the album with its mix of regret and deadpan wit.

And then there’s “Total Football,” which has Kevin Lysander doubling down on his dry humor as he applies football tactics to, well, life itself. It’s ridiculous, relatable, and ridiculously relatable.

The guitars are loud, the wit is sharper than a rusty blade, and the whole album feels like a sprint through the crowded, chaotic streets of their hometown. It’s raw, scrappy, and honest—exactly what you’d want from a band like Scream Team.

Scream Team might be new to the game, but Modernist Panic! shows they’re playing in the big leagues. If “They Stole My Car” was their breakout moment, this album proves they’ve got the chops to keep us hooked for the long haul.

So, grab your headphones, crank up the volume, and prepare for the chaos—Scream Team is here to stay. Modernist Panic! is out now on Head South. Listen loud.