If there were any justice in the world, life should have turned out much differently for Fight Like Apes. Seven years ago they released a wonderful debut record which deserved to make them masters of the universe – or, at very least, one of the biggest indie bands on the planet. History tells us it didn’t quite work out that way. After a rethink and a reshuffle, they return with their third album – and it’s
an alt pop tour de force.
Opening with ‘I Am Not A Merryman’, the tune is a synthy shimmy that firmly states they’re still among the best hook writers in the business. Elsewhere, ‘Pop Itch’ sees them successfully dabble in nerdcore, while the epic, slightly proggy ‘Carousel’ and “grown up” ‘Crouching Bees’ are all risks that pay off in spades. Pick of the bunch is ‘Didya,’ which is a Meat Loaf and Cher-like smackdown that boasts barn-storming vocals from Maykay and Pockets. Plus, ‘Pretty Keen On Centrefolds’ is vintage FLApes.
Packed with their trademark pop culture references, a few surprises and some of their best songs to date, Fight Like Apes is a rousing return to form. Hopefully, it will earn them that richly deserved second bite of the cherry.

Key Track - 'Didya'