Release year: 2024
Label: Randale Records/Pirates Press Records/Captain Oi!/Cherry Red Records

And here, for one final time, is Cock Sparrer. If you listen to punk or oi!, you’ve no excuse not to know who these guys are. Formed way back in 1972, they released their first material in the all-important year of 1977; but it was with Shock Troops in 1983 that they well and truly cemented their place in punk rock history. As early proponents of no-nonsense street rock & roll, there’s nary an oi! band who haven’t cited them as an influence.

Despite taking a couple of hiatuses throughout the years, for large parts of the history of oi!, Cock Sparrer have been a steady presence. Their discography isn’t overly long, but they’ve released at least one studio album per decade. And have put emphasis on quality, not quantity: not a single album in their catalogue is subpar.

But now it’s time to say goodbye. The band have announced that Hand On Heart is their final album. And talk about going out with a bang: there’s no doubt about it, this is one of their best albums.

In essence, this is Cock Sparrer as they have always been. Energetic, melodic, catchy, streetwise punk rock. They never were the hardest, the fastest or the roughest band in the world; instead, in their catchy choruses and memorable melodies one could always find an almost power pop style sensibility. And this is exactly what Hand On Heart is. Cock Sparrer focusing on all their strengths.

Take for example the first track on the album, With My Hand On My Heart – also one of the advance singles. It’s a classic Sparrer track: rather uptempo, very melodic, and with a chorus you’ll sing along to by the second time you hear it. If you’re expecting the band to renew themselves at this stage, you’re going to be disappointed. But, on the other hand, if you’re happy with Sparrer being Sparrer, and doing a superb job at it… well, you’ll get your money’s worth.

One thing I love about this album, and other latter day Cock Sparrer albums, is that the band don’t pretend to be young anymore. These are not songs sung from the viewpoint of kids, even though they’re sung to the kids. It’s like a well-meaning parent putting a hand on the shoulder an imparting valuable lessons of life. There’s no pretense, no bullshit here.

And Hand On Heart is an incredibly uplifting album. It’s full of songs that seek to instill courage, faith and hope in listeners. Again, like a parent or grandparent looking you hard in the eye and saying it’s all going to be all right, that they believe in you and stand by you. That you’re not alone. The final track of the album, Here We Stand, is explicitly about that: “When you’re reaching for a hand – Here we stand”.

These are not the songs of a band who’ve lost faith and go out wearily. No, this is a band who stand with their backs straight and heads held high, passing on the torch to younger generations. This is a band who now, as they’re calling it a day on their own terms, tell us all that it’s going to be all right.

But it’s bittersweet.

It’s beautiful to see Cock Sparrer end their career on such a high note, with an album full of great, anthemic songs. It’s beautiful to know they’re going out on top of their game, in a manner of their own choosing. And it’s beautiful that they leave us with such a great album.

But it also means that soon, there will be no Cock Sparrer. This band, who’ve helped define the genre, who’ve always been there, who’ve always raised a sea of voices singing their most classic anthems – this band, who seemed so eternal, won’t be there anymore. One of the original voices of punk and oi! will fall silent, one of the most beloved and cherished acts in our scene won’t be there anymore.

It really chokes me up a bit.

So, lads, here’s for you. Thank you for all the music, for all the memories, for being there for all of us both in times of joy and sadness. And know, that though you won’t be out there on the stages anymore, won’t be making new music, you’ll never really be gone. Not as long as three chords and something on your mind is the stuff punk rock is made of. Because – you belong to us.

Visit Cock Sparrer on their official website or Facebook