British new wave band The Vapors made a glorious comeback in 2020—no less than 40 years after their must-have debut album New Clear Days—with the year-end list-worthy Together LP. Dave Fenton (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Steve Smith (bass, vocals, keyboards), Danny Fenton (guitar, vocals) and Michael Bowes (drums, percussion) have now released their fourth full-length album, called Wasp In A Jar, and it’s everything you could hope for. Hooks and earworm choruses galore, with those signature irresistible vocals, killer guitar licks, reckless rhythms, memorable lyrics, and sing-along harmonies.

“This is what we came for // This is what we do // This is where our live lies // Maybe yours too” we hear in The Human Race, and song titles such as Carry On and Nothing Can Stop Us Now also seem to refer to the passion, pleasure and perseverance of the musicians, but those who listen more closely will notice the bottled-up angst depicted in the cover art as well. The aftertaste, however, is a mixture of confidence, fun and optimism, most evident in bonus track Together Again, a conspicuous nod to the previous record.

If these kinds of tunes were on the radio, I would definitely listen, but to be on the safe side, let’s get the physical release in as soon as possible.

Wasp In A Jar, recorded and produced by Michael Giblin, is out now digitally, on CD (15 tracks) and vinyl LP (12 tracks), through Red Chuck Records.

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