Scroll, Spend, Self-Destruct: Splinter’s Punk Punch in ‘Click. Swipe. Buy.’

‘Click.Swipe.Buy.’ by Splinter is a loud and fast album. The full-length album has eight tracks of pure energy, rage, and razor-sharp insights into the life of the digital generation of today. The London-based band is not shy about what it has to say: powerful and straightforward lyrics about the topics they talk about. The sound is raw and quick. The title track, “Click.Swipe.Buy.,” is about how we carelessly spend our money and share our private information with corporations online without even thinking twice.

“Get A Job” is a mocking take on the common idea that being famous is the best. The song puts the focus back on real work using a guitar and a healthy dose of sarcasm. “Narcissist” is a song about selfish, egotistic behaviour. It is speedy, wild, and very mocking towards the type of behaviour. “Fruit Machine Scum” is a story of addiction, poverty, and loss, and a darker track on the album. It is full of emotion and feeling – furious and sad. “Boy Racer” is a song about toxic masculinity and the act of trying to prove yourself through shit behaviour. The track is loud, chaotic, and powerful.

“Just Another Cliché” observes people’s attempts to be different by following trends. The track is both funny and a little depressing. Splinter makes a point of just how fake originality can be. “Arms Race” channels the anger towards the thought of war and corporations making money from it. The beat is punchy, and the message is crystal clear: the system is broken. The final song, “Modern Recipe”, is an observation of modern dating practices through dating apps. It’s a catchy track but also describes the emptiness and fake aspect of some of it. ‘Click. Swipe. Buy.’ is not just an album – it’s a siren in loudspeakers. Splinter doesn’t provide answers but makes you reflect on things as they are. Punk rock is a weapon to highlight what is wrong with modern life, and they do it unapologetically.

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