Headshrinkers – Haggard Muggins

‘Haggard Muggins’ is the new single from Birmingham-based post-punk quartet Headshrinkers.

With a Fontaines D.C. type swagger, Headshrinkers introduce us to the first track from their upcoming EP ‘Doorway Conversations’.

‘Haggard Muggins’ is a slightly toned-down version of the authoritative punk sounds we’ve become accustomed to hearing from the likes of the band’s second single ‘Where She Plays’ and the darker soundscape of ‘6:41 Sapien’.

Those two previous singles have seen Headshrinkers rise to fame. With organisations like This Feeling and BBC Introducing throwing their respective weight behind them and their exciting sound.

Now we have ‘Haggard Muggins’ a toned-down track, yes. But the gnarled conviction behind Garran Hickman’s vocal assures you there’s no less post-punk conviction in this single.

Searing guitars, a thunderous bassline and bruising drums form the canvas for Hickman’s fraught vocal to paint a maligned picture of the toxicity he faced throughout his upbringing. The lyricism talks of the battle between complex emotions of love and lament.

This stinging tale of a tainted childhood forms the basis of a truly memorable punk anthem for Headshrinkers. It’s super refreshing to hear these raw, yet relatable, feelings addressed in punk music. An arena of angsty music, the crosshairs of which are, traditionally aimed more at politicians and the monarchy than family troubles.

Hickman said of the influence behind the new track:

“Muggins reflects on my childhood and life now. Being brought up in a household where my parents’ relationship is aching in toxicity and permanently ramshackle, and was ready to implode at any one time. However, my relationship with one parent separately was and still is great. I didn’t have an upbringing of destruction, I had an upbringing of love which is documented throughout the song.”

Tom Spruce