Brighton-based quintet DITZ solidify their reputation as one of the most intriguing bands in the modern post-punk landscape with Never Exhale, a record loaded with tension and wit. The album is as much about atmosphere as it is about pure impact, conjuring a smoky, nocturnal world of strange characters and grimy backstreets. Taxi Man is a crushingly good single, whilst Four stands out for its wild glitch effects. God on a Speed Dial is full of surreal and hilarious lyrics, and this balancing act between humour, anxiety and sheer sonic force makes for a gripping listen. A volatile mix of noise rock, post-punk, and hardcore energy, all carried with an impeccable sense of groove.

Thematically, Never Exhale revels in the absurd as the band paint surreal vignettes of urban decay and existential dread, all delivered with swaggering confidence. Songs often use empty space and sudden dropouts just as effectively as their crushing climaxes, resulting in an album that feels more like a psychological thriller than it does a punk record. DITZ’s ability to balance menace and wit, groove and noise, restraint and chaos, makes Never Exhale one of the most captivating post-punk releases in recent memory. Groovy yet abrasive, funny yet unsettling, methodical yet completely unhinged, twisting surreal humour and eerie storytelling into something that feels like both a joke and a warning, leaving you unsure whether to laugh or look over your shoulder.