Given Bart De Vraantijk’s prolific output with Bart and the Brats, I didn’t really feel like I missed any hits—but here it is anyway: a new album called Missed Hits. The title may suggest an outtakes collection, but these sound like all-new tunes, written especially for this Sweet Time Records release.

A record from La Rochelle, a seaport in the Bay of Biscay with 80,000 inhabitants, released by a label from what’s widely seen as the birthplace of country music? Not the most likely combo, but that’s one of the best things about punk rock—no borders, no rules. Let’s just celebrate a new BatB album, because it rips.

The band’s signature budget Ramonescore charm is intact, but you can tell De Vraantijk took a bit more time here. The songs are still the right kind of moronic, but with extra layers of awesome added in. Mauvais Polar shows the expanding sound of BatB in a subtle way, while Leave Me Alone proves they don’t have to rely on speed and grit alone to kick ass.

And then there’s the Fascist Cops cover—originally by The Kids—which feels both like a classic punk move and a comment on the current state of the world. I love how the press release frames Missed Hits as toe-tappers you can bang your head to while trying to maintain your sanity.

Stay safe out there and stay angry—and blast Missed Hits!

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp