Dublin-based indie quartet Gilla Band has released their fourth studio album, *Pugnello*, offering a turbulent blend of experimental rock characterized by intense noise and raw energy. The album’s title, which translates from Italian as "fistful," reflects the aggressive and charged sound that defines the record. Released under Rough Trade, the 10-track collection showcases the band’s ability to balance chaos with nuanced arrangement.

Formed in 2011, Gilla Band has been influential within Ireland’s indie scene, notably cited by rising acts such as Fontaines DC as a key inspiration. Despite this, the group often remains under the mainstream radar, perhaps due to the abrasive nature of their music, which features distorted guitars, pounding drums, bursts of techno, and frontman Dara Kiely’s distinct vocal delivery. Kiely’s performance ranges from strained, almost narratorial passages to shouted outbursts underscored by intense physicality.

The album opens with “The Angelus,” a track that immediately immerses listeners in the band’s white-noise-infused world, including enigmatic references such as one to British footballer and crisps brand ambassador Gary Lineker. Throughout *Pugnello*, the band navigates a volatile soundscape where thick bass lines meet dissonant riffs and chaotic percussion. Nonetheless, the record reveals a surprising depth, with individual tracks like “At the Gallop” evoking an eerie, ritualistic atmosphere, while “The Megazord” combines a dark groove with lyrics recalling a childhood incident involving a Power Ranger toy.

Lyrically, Kiely employs surreal and sardonic imagery, mentioning influences that contrast sharply with the album’s aggressive tone, such as his confession to listening to "a dangerous amount of Coldplay" on the track “Placeholder.” This mixture may reflect a complex emotional backdrop tied to Kiely’s personal experience with schizophrenia, a condition he references subtly rather than sensationally. His lyrics avoid exploitative portrayals of mental health, instead encouraging close attention to the album’s intense sonic environment.

Produced and mixed by bassist Daniel Fox, *Pugnello* challenges listeners with its unrelenting sound but ultimately rewards those who engage fully, offering a textured experience beneath the initial onslaught. The album stands as a testament to Gilla Band’s distinctive approach to experimental rock, blending noise and narrative into a compelling, if sometimes disorienting, artistic statement.