The new project of former Girls drummer Darren Weiss, Papa make music far grander than that of its founder’s previous outfit, finding a middle ground between Springsteen and stadium rock. They’ve previously been quoted as saying their lyrics are centred on “women, the social aspects of being a young American and insanity,” while some of the highlights from their debut LP, like ‘I Am The Lion King’ and ‘Put Me To Work’, build epic walls of glistening noise. Visceral and emotional, ‘Tender Madness’ is a first album with its foundations in big ambitions – and it’s one that doesn’t fall too far short of them.
‘Tender Madness’ is released on 4 November on Island Records. Buy the album here and tickets to London and Manchester shows here.