‘Oh Shit’ The Libertines Are Back!

Words: Josh Parsonage

The Libertines are a band never short of a story to tell, and ‘Oh Shit’ does just that when traversing the complications of a muddy relationship stained by addiction and desperation in a way that, despite the brutal nature of the story at hand, has you wanting to dance.

The darker substance of the lyrics may seem originally in contrast to the upbeat indie riff you’re faced with, but the sense of rush given through the rhythm only adds to the story with not a second to stop and think allowed for the three characters who are totally consumed by the ever more desperate situation they find themselves in.

Whilst ‘Oh Shit’ lacks the same poetic weight that the previous two singles – ‘Shiver’ and ‘Night of The Hunter’ – carry, it doesn’t fail to capture the intrigue of any sharp listener who might want to know who, in my opinion, Jamie, and Nikki really are and what Carl Barat’s experience with them entailed. Similarly, the song misses the raw edge that The Libertines are so well known for, with a sense of over-production which sanitises some of the hurt that may have been felt through the music previously.

However, this leads to thinking that the danceability of the tune alongside its musical simplicity sets it up for being an indie summer anthem for 2024, and one that wouldn’t go down lightly at any festivals the Albion band may find themselves at.

In early April the band will release their first album in nine years, ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’, and in October they will embark on an extensive, and nearly sold-out, UK tour.

As Spring only just begins to settle and the cold mornings still straggling their way further and further into March, ‘Oh Shit’ grabs us by the neck and pulls towards a summer which we can only hope brings us more tunes which feel equally suited to basking in the festival sun with a pint in hand.

Listen to the tune below!