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Jan 09, 2026 Web Exclusive By Jimi Arundell

The Cribs have always inspired feverish devotion amongst their fans, especially those of us who also hail from God’s own county. While some may dismiss the band as a laddish offshoot of landfill indie, those of us paying proper attention are drawn in by their complete authenticity.

Unlike the easily marketable London-based middle-class acts that arose in the mid-’00s, The Cribs were the real thing. Three brothers from Wakefield, well-versed in the entirety of K Records’ back catalogue, unashamed of their adoration for stadium rock, and regularly making pilgrimages to Crash and Jumbo in nearby Leeds to grab the latest lo-fi records. It made them relatable, lovable, and enviable. But despite their ascent to often gracing the cover of NME, they remained one of us.

And so, the title of their ninth album Selling a Vibe, a name so clearly at odds with everything they’re about, is a clear inside joke to those of us who know. Produced by Chairlift’s Patrick Wimberly, the Yorkshire boys retain their ramshackle charm on a 12-track LP that summarizes all their punk-enthused anthemic powers.

The forlorn song “Summer Seizures” is sure to break your heart, “Self-Respect” oozes with an off-kilter groove, and “Never the Same” echoes the beloved tinny-stringed “Things Aren’t Gonna Change.” Selling a Vibe may stick firmly to the classic Cribs sound. But in a world of passionless, instantly forgettable dross, they remain one of the last bastions of sincere indie rock. (www.thecribs.com)

Author rating: 7/10