SINGLE REVIEW: Mum and Dad Talk to Animals – Coat of Arms
Mum and Dad Talk to Animals have something genuinely special on their hands with ‘Coat of Arms’. It opens in a cloud of moody atmosphere, a soft, ambient wash that almost immediately gives way to sparkling guitars that chime and jangle with pure, effervescent joy. That initial build is subtle, even delicate, but once the drums kick in, the whole thing takes flight. The rhythm brings added girth and weight, anchoring the brightness with drive and bounce before it all snaps back into that irresistibly uplifting groove.
The guitars are absolutely glorious—bright, bouncy, and full of motion. There’s a fizzy charm running through every riff, grounded by a sense of heart and care that you can feel in every shift. Vocally, it lands somewhere between raw and melodic, with a real sincerity to the delivery that never feels forced. It’s honest in that classic DIY indie way: emotive, slightly rough around the edges, but absolutely packed with character. Then the gang vocals lift everything to another level, radiating a warm, collective energy that feels like singing in the back of a sweaty venue with your best mates.
Lyrically, it comes from a vulnerable and open place. There’s a clear sense that this isn’t just a catchy tune—it’s a reflection of something deeper. That vulnerability never weighs the song down; instead, it gives it power. It's cathartic, yes, but there’s hope in there too. A kind of thoughtful optimism that recognises the emotional weight without letting it take over. That mix of emotional depth with infectious energy is what makes ‘Coat of Arms’ so compelling. It wears its heart on its sleeve but refuses to sink.
The track never settles into predictability. Just as the hooks are digging in deep, the tempo dips and lets the mood shift into something softer. The lull toward the end is a gorgeous moment of calm introspection. The guitars swell and swirl, the vocals pull back, and the track breathes. It brings a flicker of emo reflection, but it’s handled delicately—never overplayed, never heavy-handed. Just a short breath before the final note lands with a raw, passionate finish that feels completely real.
‘Coat of Arms’ captures so many things at once: it’s invigorating, catchy, heartfelt, and inventive. It pulls from indie rock, pop punk, emo, and even a touch of post-rock atmosphere, but never feels like it’s trying to tick boxes. It’s fluid and full of character, bursting with hooks but grounded in something honest. The perfect fusion of indie’s rawness and pop punk’s glimmer, delivered with sincerity and warmth. It’s really, really bloody good. This Midlands four-piece deserve to go far.
