The sound of a band rediscovering their fire. shame return with Cutthroat. Joel Sutcliffe reviews…

Release Date: 5th September 2025

Label: Dead Oceans

Format: Vinyl / CD / Digital

BACK TO BASICS

Yup. This is the shame album that tops all of their others, banging from front to back and brimming with urgency. Cutthroat sees the band redefine itself in a raw way with a record that hits like a gut punch, reminding you exactly why they became one of the UK’s most exciting post-punk outfits in the first place.

The opening tracks don’t necessarily introduce anything new, although they do immediately lunge towards a restless tone. This is a band operating at full speed with no time for filler. It’s definitely the type of album that makes you want to turn the volume skywards until it swallows you.

LOYALTY

Personally. I had mixed feelings about their previous few records. However. Cutthroat already feels like the most defining moment for the band. shame might not be shining in the biggest stadium venues just yet, but for listeners who’ve stuck with them, they’re essential.

They’ve managed to build an impressively loyal fanbase over the last seven years, and this new record rewards that devotion. Cutthroat should be the album that finally gets them the breakthrough they’ve been working towards.

Part of the appeal here is just how much fun it is. For all the grit and intensity, there’s also an experimental looseness and an underlying sense of joy in the making of this music. The balance between seriousness (see Cowards Around or Plaster) and fun (see Spartak) makes the record fit for repeat.

TRACKS THAT STAND OUT

Honestly, this is a great album. It will reaffirm your faith in guitar music, and it shows there are still bands out there willing to push themselves creatively. 

Lampião is one of the records strongest tracks, a real  curveball that sees the band try their hand at Latino funk. It’s bold, unexpected, and shows how open shame are willing to keep their sound. It makes the album more than just another post-punk record, boosting it’s credibility by a large chunk.

VERDICT

In the end, Cutthroat delivers energy, creativity, and replay value. For fans, it’s proof that sticking with shame was worth it all along. For newcomers, it’s the perfect entry point to get stuck in. This is a reminder that the post-punk revival scene still has plenty of life left in it.

shame online: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X

Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube