The Crooks’ Hypercell - Rock and Roll Anthems for the New Age

Hypercell, the anticipated new EP by the Crooks has dropped - a modern, anthemic take on a classic rock and roll BritPop sound.

The Crooks stood outside under dim lighting

The Crooks © Press

The Chesterfield five-piece have been bubbling away for the past seven years, perfecting their miraculous signature blend of ear-worm hooks and colourful guitars - and now comes their pearlescent EP Hypercell. On the record, the band takes all things rock and rolls it into a neat, punchy package, built on anthemic and pristine productions that glow with arena potential. Off the back of singles ‘Madness’ and ‘Always’ - Hypercell is sure to put The Crooks on the map as one of UK rock’s ones to watch.

The EP sets off with lead single ‘Madness’, an existential exploration of the chaos of being a creative grasping onto the very tail of your lifelong dreams as they run from you. The track sets the tone for the whole project, battling haunting realities of the real world as you try to make something of it. Each track spills out something unapologetic alongside an electrifying wall of sound that demands your attention in every second.

Hypercell Cover Art © Run On Records

Produced in Glasgow, Chris Marshall’s arrangements are punchy, lively and full of glistening glory, with mixes that glow with a pearly high end. The EP pertains to the band’s previous grittiness in tracks such as 2019’s ‘Champagne & Caviar’, but show a clear development in production quality, if not leaning somewhat too pristine and shiny at times. It’s almost Oasis meets pop-punk in a way, a cleaned-up BritPop sound that’s pleasing but occasionally leans clinical. The whole project feels massive, with huge, wide productions that clearly point toward the arena stage, I find myself compelled to find out how the tracks translate live at their upcoming UK tour.

The band are set to headline five cities this Autumn - including shows in Glasgow, London and Manchester. Headlining Manchester’s iconic Night & Day Café, the band have solidified themself as an indie-rock powerhouse - ready to boom onto the bigger stages with their epic arrangements and huge, singalong choruses. The music feels classic and familiar, often recalling hints of DMAs & Oasis, but with a highly modern sheen that plunges it into a fresh, 2026-ready ear-space.

Hypercell closes out with the more mid-tempo ‘High Horse’, the EP’s ballad opus that taps into the sincerity of the whole project in a much more intimate way. The track is beautiful, blending intimate piano and acoustic guitar performance with soaring string layers, and of course lead vocalist Jack Knight’s raw and resonating voice that rips through with a message that recalls the importance of authenticity. ‘High Horse’ is the perfect closer, wrapping together the sentiment of the whole project into something that feels sincere and personal.