Snakes new LP exposes hard truths

The new Snakes LP, Expo, finds the group entering a darker domain than their debut Colour Polished Dreams. Guest reviewer Anthony Gibbons dares to enter their lair.

In Chinese mythology, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. In an interview with the BBC, Dr Xuan Wang, a senior lecturer in Chinese studies at Cardiff University, said the snake, like all zodiac symbols, has both positive and negative connotations.

She explained, “For a snake, it would mean they are intuitive, because they quickly sense risk. They are very mysterious, but also very smart. But a snake would also represent cunning and danger, which is seen as the dark side.”

An album that reflects troubled times

Globally, 2025 seems to be on that dark side. Threatened by climate change, unstable geopolitics, populist leaders, and, in some countries, a lurch to the far right.

Apt then that Snakes, comprising Andy McKay on guitars and vocals, Matt Savvides on drums, and Neil Byott on bass guitar and backing vocals, release their sophomore album Expo this year, which seemingly concerns itself with the absolute state the world finds itself in.

The Tower of Babel-referencing ‘Burn The Plans’ aims at egotistical world leaders and false promises with a deft lyrical touch: ‘Heaven can wait, they’ve chosen hell/parroting false narratives they sell.’ ‘Cloudburst (When The Time Comes)’ hopes for a reckoning ‘When the time comes you’ve got some explaining to do.’ Draw your own conclusions about whom is the target.

A sometimes oppressive listen

Opaque lyrics like these and ‘We watch the sky go dark again’ (‘Take The Tale Away’) and ‘everyone you love is lost’ (‘Hi Rise Crash’) leave everything to the imagination. Such lyrics and a reliance on minor chords lend Expo an overall sense of foreboding that can, at times, feel a little oppressive.

Musically though this is stirring stuff built from multilayered guitars, propulsive rhythms, and vocalist Andy McKay’s portentous tones. The aforementioned ‘Hi Rise Crash’ and a motoring ‘Monochromatic’ are bona fide indie-rock bangers. Closing couplet ‘Burn The Plans’ and ‘Cloudburst (When The Time Comes)’ would have music hacks from a bygone age spitting out synonyms for ‘epic’ like the thesaurus hadn’t been invented.

Final thoughts

If music reflects the times we live in, it’s no wonder that Expo leans heavily toward the dark side. However, this is sonically a smartly structured album and one that Snakes can be proud of.

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Snakes launch Expo on home soil at the Hot Box in Chelmsford on 14 March. SR Mortimer, who also produced Expo, will join Snakes onstage for a few songs. Tickets are available through Dice. Early birds can grab themselves a free Snakes goody bag on the night if they get in quick enough! Also, check out the group’s Bandcamp page. Arcane Moon provides support on the night.

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