The Sleeveens have officially dropped a high-voltage heart-starter with ‘National Anthem’, an album so relentlessly catchy it should probably come with a warning label for your footwear. Leading the charge is the incomparable Stefan Murphy, a man who has spent years honing his craft in outfits like The Subtonics and the cult-favorite The Mighty Stef. While those bands established him as a premier Dublin troubadour, The Sleeveens feels like the final, explosive form of his musical evolution. This isn’t just another project; it’s a full-throttle pursuit of power-pop perfection that proves Murphy is currently operating at the absolute peak of his powers with his greatest band to date.
Across the original tracks, the band manages to bottle lightning, but four songs in particular demand a dedicated adjustment to the volume knob. “I Was Born On Saturday Night” is a shimmering anthem that captures that classic punk-rock urgency, while “Town Of Horseheads” hits with a melodic force that will have you humming the hook for days. Then there is the frantic energy of “Six Counties Punk,” which feels like a caffeinated sprint through rock history, and “Ernest And Julio,” a track that balances Murphy’s signature raspy charm with a rhythm that is pure, unadulterated fun. The songwriting is tight, the energy is infectious, and the production makes you feel like you’re standing right in the middle of a sweaty, glorious basement show.
Just when you think you’ve caught your breath, the band throws a curveball with a cover of The Walkmen’s “The Rat,” taking that iconic, driving drum beat and injecting it with a fresh snarl that is, quite frankly, a damn good cover. However, the real knockout punch arrives at the very end with the title track, “National Anthem.” This closing sing-along rock anthem serves as a cathartic, high-decibel summary of the modern American psyche, echoing the frustrations of those watching the current political landscape and feeling like the only way forward is to level the foundations and start fresh. It is a bold, defiant conclusion to a record that respects rock history while sounding completely vital for 2026. The Sleeveens are absolutely killing it! Buy this record today!!
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleeveens/
https://thesleeveens.bandcamp.com/album/national-anthem