Album Review: Shooting Daggers – The Real Life Thing (New Heavy Sounds)

Shooting Daggers, the London-based genre-fluid, queercore, punk-loving and hardcore-embracing band, are back with ‘The Real Life Thing’. A seven song mini-album that will be released on June 5th, 2026, via New Heavy Sounds on limited edition shiny black vinyl and digital.

I’m about to spend 500+ words gushing about how much I love this new Shooting Daggers record. A record that shows off two years of growth without losing what makes them so special. Which, if you don’t know, is how you really never know what you’re going to get with them, except that it’s going to be real.

More than a buzzword, Shooting Daggers’ authenticity has meant a wide array of people have gravitated to them, me included. I love their style, their creativity, their inclusivity, but I really love their music.

It has been a little over two years since they released their phenomenal debut record, Love & Rage, and Shooting Daggers haven’t stopped. To such an extent, that it’s a bit of miracle that they found time to make this record. All their success is deserved though, and this mini album shows that they’ve not been stagnating.

It’s all about variety. About showcasing their expanded range, innate ability to genre bend, and how emotion can be used in powerful ways. It’s all about being present and focusing on what really matters to you.

Kicking off with a fiery and energetic effort, Adrenaline is Shooting Daggers at their heaviest. I’ll never tire of this side of them, and I do think it’s a great showcase of how far their gang vocals have come. In contrast, My Oh My! sounds like a different band altogether, but that’s Shooting Daggers for you. Delivering a highly rock focused affair that makes melody sound both heartfelt and hopeful. As it goes on, its power only increases, becoming more intense, but not losing the thoughtfulness and soulfulness that runs through it like a thick vein. It’s very special, especially if you see the video too.

I hope you’ve got your punk-infused hardcore shoes on because T.R.L.T demands movement and puts a stupid smile on the face because of that call. Whereas We Just Wanna Play is 28 seconds of playground fun that will work in the live environment. Then there is Loud Mouths, a personal Shooting Daggers favourite as it is ‘riot grrrl’ fun and fire, showcasing Shooting Daggers at their most infectious and with one hell of a guest in the form of The Menstrual Cramps.

Variety is so important here though, and it’s really something to have Le Soleil to enjoy as a penultimate track. Experimental, with light layers of gazy ambience and post melody, it’s an impactful listen that is made even more potent by what follows. Which just so happens to be the mighty GLOW, a catchy number with rocking groove. Though what really makes it special is a great guest spot from Refused’s Dennis Lyxzén, who brings an impressive amount of passion to things.

A mighty fine ending to a record that pleases me no end. I really do think highly of this band, so to see them come back with such a strong set of tracks, is awesome. Based off what I’ve heard, the rise is only going to continue and even more heads are going to be turned in the direction of Shooting Daggers. They certainly deserve it.

Shooting Daggers – The Real Life Thing Track Listing:

1. Adrenaline
2. My Oh My!
3. T.R.L.T.
4. We Just Wanna Play
5. Loud Mouths (feat The Menstrual Cramps)
6. Le Soleil
7. GLOW (feat Dennis Lyxzén)

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