Album Review: Coffee by Salt The Snail
If you’re into raw, unfiltered rock with a punk-grunge edge, Coffee by UK-based band Salt The Snail might just be your next caffeine fix. Released in 2017 under the Society Of Losers label, this album isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s here to kick it down the road and leave some skid marks. Clocking in at a modest runtime, Coffee packs a punch with its gritty riffs, snarling vocals, and an unapologetic DIY ethos that screams “we don’t care what you think, but you’ll probably dig it anyway.”
The title track, Coffee, is the obvious standout. It’s got this caffeinated urgency to it—like you’ve downed three espressos and are ready to take on the world (or maybe just rant about it). The guitar work is sharp, with a grungy undertone that feels like mud-streaked boots stomping through a rainy London street. What sticks with me is how unpolished it sounds—not in a bad way, but in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there in the room with the band. It’s messy, chaotic, and oddly comforting, kinda like spilling coffee on your shirt but laughing it off because hey, life’s too short.
Another track worth mentioning is Static. This one leans harder into the punk side of their sound, with jagged riffs and a bassline that feels like it’s gnawing at your eardrums—in the best way possible. The lyrics are cryptic enough to keep you guessing but relatable enough to hit home. I remember blasting this one on repeat during a road trip, windows down, yelling along to lines I didn’t even fully understand. That’s the magic of Salt The Snail—they don’t need to spell everything out for you; they just let the music do the talking.
What’s cool about Coffee is how it refuses to sit neatly in one genre box. You’ve got the raw aggression of punk colliding with the sludgy weight of grunge, all wrapped up in an alternative rock bow. It’s not perfect—there are moments where the production feels a little too lo-fi—but honestly, that’s part of its charm. This album doesn’t try to be sleek or polished; it’s content being rough around the edges, and honestly? That’s refreshing.
As for reflection, listening to Coffee made me realize something kinda funny: music doesn’t always have to be profound or groundbreaking to stick with you. Sometimes, it’s just about the vibe. And if Salt The Snail’s vibe was a person, it’d be that slightly disheveled barista who knows exactly how you take your coffee before you even say a word.
So yeah, give Coffee a spin if you’re in the mood for something real. Just don’t blame me if you end up craving an actual cup of joe halfway through.
