REVIEW: pyncher - I Really Mean It This Time

Manchester has never struggled to produce exciting guitar bands, but right now there feels like something particularly special brewing in the city. Among the new wave of artists helping shape that resurgence, PYNCHER continue to establish themselves as one of its most intriguing voices. Following the promise of debut EP Every Town Needs A Stranger, upcoming EP I Really Mean It This Time doesn’t simply build on that foundation, it reinforces it with sharper songwriting, bigger hooks and a confidence that suggests the quartet are only just getting started.

Across its runtime, the EP feels simultaneously scrappy and calculated. There’s a restless energy running through every track, one that thrives on contradiction. PYNCHER are capable of sounding chaotic and tightly controlled at the same time, marrying scuzzy indie rock, post-punk swagger and bursts of fuzz-drenched melody into something that feels entirely their own.

Lead single Oh Boy perfectly encapsulates that evolution. While it retains the wiry unpredictability that made their debut so captivating, everything here feels amplified. The riff arrives with genuine menace, snarling its way through a pounding rhythm section that gives the song an almost industrial pulse. Beneath the distortion and swagger lies a surprisingly vulnerable core, with vocalist Sam Blakeley dissecting feelings of alienation and dissatisfaction through lyrics that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. It’s catchy, uncomfortable and exhilarating all at once.

What makes I Really Mean It This Time so compelling is the way PYNCHER balance those introspective themes with an infectious sense of movement. Even when the lyrics explore disconnection, self-doubt or frustration, the music rarely stands still. Every song feels like it’s pushing forward, driven by Jack Rainbow’s relentlessly inventive drumming and Brittany Dewhurst’s bass work, which frequently becomes the glue holding together the band’s more chaotic impulses. Meanwhile, Harvey O’Toole’s guitar work constantly shifts between abrasive noise and shimmering melody, ensuring that even the most straightforward moments contain unexpected twists.

The production from Alex Greaves at The Nave in Leeds deserves significant credit too. Rather than sanding down the band’s rougher edges, Greaves leans into them. The result is a record that feels alive and unpredictable, capturing the intensity of a live performance without sacrificing clarity. Layers of fuzz and feedback never overwhelm the songs themselves; instead, they enhance the emotional weight behind them.

Throughout the EP, PYNCHER demonstrate an impressive understanding of tension and release. Tracks often begin with a sense of unease before erupting into huge, cathartic choruses, while quieter moments are deployed sparingly but effectively. It’s this dynamic range that prevents the record from becoming one-dimensional. Every burst of noise feels earned, every hook hits harder because of the chaos surrounding it.

There’s also a noticeable growth in songwriting maturity compared to their earlier material. While Every Town Needs A Stranger introduced a band bursting with ideas, I Really Mean It This Time feels more focused without losing any of that excitement. The hooks are bigger, the structures more refined and the emotional themes more clearly defined. Yet crucially, none of that polish comes at the expense of personality. It’s easy to understand why the band have attracted support from BBC 6 Music and publications such as The Guardian, DIY and The Line of Best Fit. They occupy an increasingly rare space where artistic ambition and accessibility comfortably coexist. Their songs are weird enough to feel distinctive but immediate enough to stick in your head long after they’ve finished.

As Manchester’s latest wave of alternative talent continues to gather momentum alongside peers such as Westside Cowboy, TTSSFU and Martial Arts, PYNCHER feel particularly well-positioned to break beyond regional hype. I Really Mean It This Time isn’t a radical reinvention, nor does it need to be. Instead, it’s the sound of a band refining their strengths and discovering just how powerful they can be. For a group still early in their journey, that’s perhaps the most exciting thing of all. If this EP serves as a statement of intent, it’s a convincing one. PYNCHER aren’t simply another promising name emerging from Manchester’s thriving scene, they’re becoming one of its most essential.

Score: 8/10

I Really Mean It This Time will be released on 19th June 2026 via Heist or Hit.

Words: Angel Turley

Photos: Gabbi Goldman