London’s French Dogs come charging out of the gate with their self-titled debut, French Dogs, landing December 5th on Ciao Ketchup Recordings, and it feels like a late-night diary torn open and shouted back at the world. It comes with four tracks capturing sleepless hours, messy choices, and that restless buzz that sits somewhere between heartbreak and hope. With a full-length album already lined up for spring 2026, this EP works as a taste test.
It all kicks off with “Treasure,” driven by strong guitar riffs and thumping beats that hit with purpose. The singer’s deep voice comes in heavy and gnarling, full of vehemence, grounding the track in frustration and longing. He sings, “It’s 3 am I’m staring at the walls / It’s colder now the lights have been turned off,” as the line hangs in the air, while the guitars echo the emptiness between thoughts. It’s raw, wavering, and uncomfortably relatable, the sound of absence stretching into the early hours.
Then “Modern Day Despair” shifts the mood without losing the tension. Softer, glistening strums and gentle beats create space for a more relaxed vocal delivery, still deep but calmer, almost reflective. As the track builds, the guitars strengthen, and by the time he sings, “The truth of it all / She could be anyone / She could be anywhere,” it feels like standing on the edge of night as dawn starts to creep in.
“Toxic Alibi” snaps things back into motion with grinding, fuzzy guitars and pounding drums. The vocals turn catchier and lighter, transforming bad decisions into something you can shout along to. It’s bruised, honest, and built for sweaty rooms and shared chaos.
The EP closes with “Unlucky in Love,” all driving fuzz and hard-hitting drums, as the singer soars alongside the guitars. It’s a crowd-shaker packed with frustration and dark humour, wrapping heartbreak in anthemic defiance.
French Dogs doesn’t tidy anything up, and that’s the point. It’s messy, loud, and real, a debut that leaves you wanting more and ready to shout along when it comes.
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Review by: Naomi Joan