Coach Party introduced us to their unique sense of grungy freneticism (as well as some POIs in their native Isle of Wight) in September of 2023 when they released their debut album KILLJOY. Two years and several inspiring tour support slots later, they’re returning with a buzzier take on that formula with the buoyant synth-punk of their second album, Caramel. Soaring choruses punctuate the band’s verses charting the heights and depths of the human experience, largely influenced by our capacity to mute the often-harmful intrusiveness of online spaces in favor of physical community.
And that’s far from their only influence on the record’s new direction. As mentioned, gigs opening for Queens of the Stone Age and Bombay Bicycle Club (as well as a festival appearance alongside iconic artists such as The Chemical Brothers) helped Coach Party tune up their live show, which ultimately bled into the recording space. Beyond that, they found inspiration—conscious and otherwise—in everything from the variety of sound on just about any Wolf Alice record to the perpetually hyped-up energy of Limp Bizkit.
With Caramel out today via Chess Club Records, Coach Party guitarist Joe Perry goes into a bit more detail on 12 tracks in particular that helped shape this record, concluding with the unofficial theme song to this era of the band. Check it out below, and listen to Caramel here.
Gary Numan, “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?”
A true icon. We referenced the synths sounds of Gary Numan a good few times while making Caramel, notably the chorus parts on the opening track “Do It for Love.”
My Bloody Valentine, “only shallow”
Loveless is one of those perfect albums, in my opinion, where every listen reveals something you’ve never noticed before. Always a reference point when recording—guitars especially.
Limp Bizkit, “Hot Dog”
These guys are just the kings of capturing that “get up” energy in the most badass way. Essential van listening right here.
Bombay Bicycle Club, “Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing but You)”
We were lucky enough to support these chaps a little while ago and have all been fans of the way they craft their songs for a long time, so it was a privilege. Seeing them play every night definitely inspired us when we went into making this new record.
Pixies, “Gouge Away”
Another band we got to see at a festival last year just before we began working on Caramel and I was in total awe the whole time. A bucket list moment, for sure.
The Chemical Brothers, “Eve of Destruction”
This song is our band anthem! We did a bunch of European festivals last summer and Chemical Brothers were also playing most of them, so we got to watch them a few times. Their live show is incredible, and I think subconsciously it influenced some of the production on Caramel.
Ringo Deathstarr, “Frisbee”
Super cool band, super cool song—what’s not to love? The bass sound alone on this is perfection.
Wolf Alice, “Sadboy”
As a band, we’ve all got very different tastes, but Wolf Alice is one of those bands that we all dig. They’ve been a big influence since we began writing and making records. I think all their albums offer variety between each song, and that’s definitely something we always aspire to achieve with each of our records, too.
Kendrick Lamar feat. Lefty Gunplay, “TV Off”
We recorded our album at Mustard Studios on the Isle of Wight, and would regularly listen to this and just shout “mustaaard” most days.
Queens of the Stone Age, “Turnin on the Screw”
Truly the best band in the world, and a constant inspiration for us. We also got to play a few shows with Queens a couple of years ago, and watching their set each night was mindblowing and an absolute clinic in how it’s done.
Weezer, “Pink Triangle”
We love Weezer. They’re a band we always look to as a reference point in all aspects of writing—lyrics, production, guitar tones. There’s always a moment where someone brings up a Weezer track.
The Beatles, “Get Back”
We walked out to this the first few shows we did this year, playing new songs from Caramel for the first time. It became a bit of theme song for this new era of Coach Party.
