CIVIC
Chrome Dipped
ATO Records [2025]
“CIVIC pull punk apart and stitch it back with fire, grief, and fearless experimentation.”
Album Overview: Formed in Melbourne, CIVIC made their name with fierce energy and a straight-up, no-frills take on punk—pulling inspiration from the explosive Australian underground of the ’70s. They built buzz through relentless gigging, blistering early singles, and records like Future Forecast (2021) and Taken By Force (2023), earning a rep for raw, uncompromising rock. That same don’t-look-back attitude took them from sweaty club shows to global festivals—but with Chrome Dipped, CIVIC throws the rulebook out the window.
This third LP marks a bold left turn. Written during a time of personal and collective upheaval, Chrome Dipped dives headfirst into themes of transformation, grief, and existential reflection. Rather than sticking to their usual punk lane, the band deconstructs their sound—experimenting with new textures, moods, and pacing. The result is an album that feels just as intense, but in a way that cuts deeper. It’s tough, it’s vulnerable, and it’s constantly in motion.
Musical Style: Punk still forms the backbone, but Chrome Dipped branches out in unexpected directions—swerving into warped psych-rock, hazy post-punk, and even the occasional alt-country shadow. The record is rhythmically dense, layering processed drums and unconventional vocal effects over jagged guitar bursts and jangle-laced strums. There’s tension in every corner, but it’s less about thrashing and more about building atmosphere.
Evolution of Sound: Earlier CIVIC records were all punch and precision—tight structures and full-speed assaults. Chrome Dipped, on the other hand, breathes. The band leans into experimentation, opening up arrangements, swapping lead vocals, and embracing studio trickery that wouldn’t have made it past the demo stage a few years ago. Working with producer Kirin J. Callinan helped shake things up: it’s a looser, moodier CIVIC, but no less gripping. The urgency remains—it just hits from different angles.
Artists with Similar Fire: If you’re into the genre-jumping tension of Iceage, the scorched fuzz of METZ, or the sneering swagger of early Social Distortion, this one’s in your lane. Fans of The Birthday Party, Protomartyr, and IDLES will hear echoes too. There’s also a crossover appeal for listeners drawn to the more cerebral side of punk, like Total Control or the darker edges of the UK’s current post-punk scene.
Pivotal Tracks: “The Fool” kicks things off with a lurching blend of post-punk dread and folk pacing, setting the album’s reflective tone. “The Hogg” rips into a grinding riff while wrestling with questions about digital life and identity. “Poison” cuts loose with some of the fiercest guitar work the band’s ever laid down, while “Kingdom Come” dials things back—dreamy, woozy, and led by Lewis Hodgson’s vocals. “Fragrant Rice” plays with vocal distortion and close-up intimacy, and “Amissus” stands as the album’s emotional heart—a mournful, searching track that lingers. Each cut reveals a different facet of CIVIC’s creative evolution.
Lyrical Strength: Lyrically, Chrome Dipped digs deeper than anything CIVIC has done before. There’s a weight to these songs, shaped by grief, reflection, and an itch to understand what it all means. Gone is the straightforward punk spitfire—in its place is vivid, occasionally abstract writing that’s still grounded in emotion. Tracks like “Amissus” and “Gulls Way” reckon with loss and memory, while “Swing Of The Noose” turns bleakness into a strange kind of clarity. It’s heavy, but not without hope—and the shift in perspective feels earned.
Final Groove: Chrome Dipped doesn’t just mark a new chapter for CIVIC—it tears out a few old pages and scribbles fresh ones in their place. It’s bold without being overthought, raw but carefully crafted, and full of moments that catch you off-guard. While longtime fans might miss some of the band’s old punch-to-the-gut directness, there’s real power in how they’ve stretched their sound. Chrome Dipped proves CIVIC isn’t here to repeat themselves—they’re chasing something messier, more meaningful. And if this is the sound of them breaking free, it’s going to be exciting to see where they go next.
CIVIC REVIEW HISTORY
New Vietnam And Singles (2023) / Taken By Force (2023) / Future Forecast (2021)
CIVIC LINKS
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | ATO Records
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