Single Review: Clayface (UK) – Don’t Hold Your Breath EP

Manchester’s Clayface, not to be confused with the DC dark wave band of the same name, are set to release their latest EP, Don’t Hold Your Breath, on November 10th via the South Manchester based independent punk label, Horn And Hoof Records. Following the self-release of their angsty teenage debut EP, Squeel, back in 2013 the band took a few quiet years out, now they’re back with their upcoming aptly titled EP, and the band are now set to return with their own blend of scrappy, melodic punk to the eardrums of the world. 

The introduction to Don’t Hold Your Breath, builds from delicate, through to pop punk to full blooded punk rock, setting the tone nicely for what’s to come. Just A Word carries a heavyweight skacore element that sits alongside the raw punk rock that populates much of the remaining five tracks. There’s a distinct influence from Snuff‘s early recordings in Clayface‘s sophomore release, especially in the EP’s finest moment, Something Sweet And Sickly, which closes Don’t Hold Your Breath in fine style. A lot has changed in the four years since Clayface released their debut EP, whilst their energy and commitment have remained a constant Don’t Hold Your Breath feels more rounded and mature than their debut release.

Don’t Hold Your Breath contains elements of ska punk, hardcore and good old fashioned punk rock, all of which is delivered with a distinctly DIY touch. The seven tracks that make up the Don’t Hold Your Breath EP are done and dusted in around a quarter of an hour confirming that Clayface‘s return to recording has resulted in a frantic and raw blast of grass roots punk rock, one that stands up as another example of the energy and commitment of the bands at the heart of Manchester’s DIY punk scene, I just hope we don’t have to wait until 2021 for their next release.

The Don’t Hold Your Breath EP can be pre-ordered via Horn And Hoof Records here