After a five-year hiatus that felt like an eternity for indie-rock purists, the Jarman brothers have returned with ‘Selling A Vibe‘, an album that proves they still possess the magical ability to make 2026 feel like 2005. Recorded in Brooklyn, this ninth studio effort manages to be surprisingly thoughtful without losing that “three guys in a garage who just found a distortion pedal” charm. It’s essentially a musical hug for anyone who still thinks skinny jeans and messy hair are a valid substitute for a personality. The record is a heartwarming reaffirmation of the Jarman union, showing that despite legal battles and living on different continents, these brothers are still the undisputed kings of underdog rock.
The tracklist is a masterclass in how to stay relevant while stubbornly refusing to change your sound—a feat so impressive it almost deserves a medal. Take the title track, “Selling A Vibe,” which is a delicious blend of Beach Boys harmonies and Strokes-esque riffs that basically begs you to buy a surfboard you’ll never use. Then there’s “You’ll Tell Me Anything,” which features a literal Italian opera singer, because nothing says “scrappy indie band from Wakefield” like a touch of high-culture drama to spice up the mid-album slump. Finally, the record closes with “Brothers Won’t Break,” a soaring anthem that sounds like the soundtrack to a movie montage where three best friends finally realize they’re actually brothers (which, in this case, they literally are).
While some might call ‘Selling A Vibe‘ predictable, those people clearly aren’t listening with enough appreciation for a band that survived the landfill indie era unscathed and just soak in all of these fun sing-along tunes and shut the fuck up. Also, if you’re looking for a reason to dust off your old Chucks and pretend you’re nineteen again, The Cribs have just provided the perfect forty-minute excuse.
If you want to witness this vibe in the flesh, the brothers are bringing their glorious racket to the Cactus Club on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The show kicks off at 7:00 PM and features a stellar local lineup with Trolley and Known Moons opening the night. Seeing a band of this pedigree in such an intimate Bay View haunt is the kind of “I was there” moment that indie dreams are made of.
Goto the Cactus Club website to get your tickets before it sells out – https://www.cactusclubmilwaukee.com/events/the-cribs/
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/thecribs
https://thecribs.ffm.to/selling-a-vibe
https://thecribs.com/
https://thecribs.bandcamp.com/album/selling-a-vibe