MOTHER VULTURE: Cartoon Violence
MOTHER VULTURE’s second album ‘Cartoon Violence’ sounds like a band fully shaping itself. It doesn’t try to explain what the band is or where it belongs. Instead, it focuses on momentum, sharp songwriting and the confidence that comes from years of playing loud music together.
The Bristol four-piece move easily between styles, but never feel scattered. Heavy screaming sits next to bold riffs built for movement and volume. The band knows when to push hard and when to pull back. Songs rarely stay in one place for long, which keeps ‘Cartoon Violence’ feeling active and unpredictable.
Georgi Valentine’s vocals are central to that sense of movement. He switches between clean lines and full-force screams without warning, often within the same track. On ‘Treadmill’, one of their pre-released singles from the album, the band leans into a steady, groove-driven opening before shifting tone completely. The Bulgarian-language verse, which roughly translates as “Say goodbye to everything, Life burns with a flame, And I’ll wait for you here, Without you I’m different and won’t be able to…”, feels haunting and hits deep, giving the song an emotional weight.
On the other hand, the latest single from the album, ‘Phoenix’, takes a more direct route. It’s the album’s most open and explosive moment, built around a chorus that’s meant to be shouted back from a crowd. The song nods to classic rock without sounding dated. Tight drum breaks and a focused guitar solo keeps it grounded in the band’s modern sound.
Across ‘Cartoon Violence’, MOTHER VULTURE sounds at ease with risk. Some tracks are rough and fast — my personal favourite being ‘Sufferin’ – Succotash!’ — while others, particularly the album’s middle section (‘Slow Down’, ‘The Masquerade’ and ‘Double Down’), allow space to breathe. What unites these moments is feel rather than polish. Self-produced and unconcerned with perfection, the album prioritises energy, instinct and connection. Even as the band steps onto bigger stages, ‘Cartoon Violence’ retains a DIY spirit. It sounds like four people pushing each other in a room, trusting their ideas and committing fully. That honesty is where the record finds its strength.
Overall, ‘Cartoon Violence’ is loud, focused and full of intent, capturing a band moving forward without overthinking the process. There’s a confidence in the way MOTHER VULTURE commits to their ideas. The record leans into urgency, energy and feel. In doing so, it sounds more immediate and more convincing — a clear statement of where the band is now, and a strong indication of where they’re heading next.
To support the release, MOTHER VULTURE will take ‘Cartoon Violence’ on the road across the UK in early 2026, bringing its raw urgency and sweat-soaked energy directly to the stage. The tour kicks off on Saturday 31st January at Exeter Phoenix, before heading to Cardiff, Southampton, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Manchester and Nottingham in February. March sees the band wrap things up with dates at Cheltenham, Alton and a final London show at Rough Trade East on Saturday 7th March. It’s a run of venues that suits the band perfectly — close, loud and built for the kind of connection that defines MOTHER VULTURE best.