All Music Magazine UK - Album of the Week - The Molotovs – Wasted On Youth

Desh Kapur
2 days ago
2 min read

WORDS HARRY K

The Molotovs – Wasted On Youth

Marshall Records | January 30, 2026

Fast, fierce and full of belief — a debut that feels like the start of something loud

The Molotovs don’t so much release a debut album as detonate one. Wasted On Youth arrives loud, wired and impatient — the sound of a band refusing to wait their turn.

Built on sweat-drenched gigs and growing buzz, this is a record that knows exactly what it wants to be. There’s no throat-clearing, no easing in. From the opening rush, The Molotovs lock into a breakneck blend of punk bite, indie swagger and garage-rock grit.

The influence list is clear — The Clash’s urgency, The Jam’s precision, the snarl of the Sex Pistols and the sharp hooks of early Arctic Monkeys — but Wasted On Youth never feels like cosplay. Instead, it repackages those instincts for a generation raised on instability, screens and side-eyeing the future.

Lyrically, this is punk without the posturing. The Molotovs write about self-belief, rebellion and survival with a knowing grin, steering clear of nostalgia or self-pity. “Today’s Gonna Be Our Day” sounds like a rallying cry for kids who’ve already had enough, while “Rhythm Of Yourself” doubles down on individuality in a world obsessed with fitting in.

Jason Perry’s production keeps everything tight and volatile. Recorded at Marshall Studios, the album crackles with live energy — guitars cut sharp, drums hit hard, and nothing lingers longer than it needs to. These songs feel built for sweaty rooms, shouted choruses and broken curfews.

What really sells Wasted On Youth is conviction. You can hear the confidence of a band that’s already battle-tested. This isn’t a debut chasing relevance. It’s one claiming it.

Wasted On Youth doesn’t pretend rock is dead, nor does it try to resurrect the past. It simply proves that when it’s done right, it still hits just as hard. The Molotovs aren’t here to ask nicely. They’re here to kick things off.

4 .5 /5