Lucy Fitzgerald 
Berlin’s favorite garage-punk trio S.U.G.A.R. is back with a brand new album, “III”, out now on Alien Snatch! Records. Following their self-titled debut, their second album “II”, and a split release, this eight-song collection is easily their tightest work yet. The band delivers pure garage energy, blending catchy melodies with a dirty rock sound.
The record starts fast with “Roleplay” and “Volunteer”, kicking off a steady mid-tempo pace filled with fuzzy guitars and cool double-vocal hooks. The music keeps rollin’ through “Friend Or Foe” and “Reaper” without slowing down or wasting any time. You can easily hear classic influences from 1970s Australian pub rock and early US punk bands like The Saints and Testors. On the second half, “First Light” stands out as a fast-paced anthem that feels like an early New York punk classic, leading right into “Darkness”, “Nothing’s Ever Changed”, and the heavy final track, “Iron Claw”.
The physical vinyl edition is also packed with great extras. The inside sleeve includes custom drawings by guitarist Flo, an exclusive comic strip created for this album, full lyrics, and notes from the band. The entire package stays true to their simple, do-it-yourself style and classic lo-fi recording setup.
I think “III” strikes the perfect balance between rough rock and roll and sharp, fun song structure. It brings a real live-show energy directly to your speakers that feels total fun to hear over and over.
If you love gritty guitar riffs and real rock attitude, make sure to show some love to this Berlin trio. Head over to your favorite music streaming platforms to add “III” to your daily rock playlists, spin these eight tracks on high volume, and follow S.U.G.A.R. on their official pages and Alien Snatch! Records online so you can stay updated on new live tours and vinyl releases.
Listening to songs so you don’t have to! Just kidding :D, you totally should. Music blogger by day, nurse by night
