Zippy punk accompanied by razor-sharp wit and anarchy in the USA define this second album from San Franciscan rudeboys Spiritual Cramp.

Words by Felix Bartlett | Oct 24, 2025

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Ever since we caught Spiritual Cramp tearing it up at Reading and Leeds, we’ve been absolutely hooked. So when we got the chance to chat with them ahead of their US tour with Bad Nerves (who’ve also been crushing it lately, by the way), we knew RUDE was going to be something special. The wait is finally over, and bloody hell, was it worth it.

From the moment Wild 87 Radio crackles to life with DJ Crash’s voice, you know you’re in for a ride. The intro track “I’m An Anarchist” sets the scene with a meta radio-broadcast vibe that threads throughout the album, creating this brilliant cinematic quality that makes the whole thing feel like you’re tuning into the best pirate radio station that never existed. It’s cheeky, it’s clever, and it’s pure Spiritual Cramp.

Michael Bingham and the crew have absolutely nailed it on their sophomore effort, teaming up with Grammy-winning producer John Congleton to deliver thirteen tracks of pure adrenaline-fueled chaos wrapped in surprising melodic sophistication. This isn’t just three-chord thrashing, although there’s plenty of that when needed. Instead, the band pulls from everywhere: vintage UK punk, ska rhythms, dub-reggae grooves, and indie rock shimmer, all filtered through a distinctly Californian lens.

The self-deprecating humor that makes Bingham such a compelling frontman is on full display. “At My Funeral” sees him wondering if anyone would even bother showing up, delivering the brutal line about everyone knowing his “shit was lame” with the kind of deadpan delivery that’s both hilarious and oddly touching. It’s this balance between vulnerability and don’t-give-a-fuck attitude that makes RUDE such a compelling listen.

Standout moments arrive thick and fast. “Automatic” bursts with infectious energy, while the Sharon Van Etten collaboration on “You’ve Got My Number” shows the band’s range, her softer vocals playing perfectly against Bingham’s trademark snarl. “Violence in the Supermarket” takes things in a dubbier direction, proving these guys aren’t content to just stay in one lane. And “Young Offenders”, with its celebration of simple San Francisco pleasures, is destined to become a live anthem.

What’s particularly exciting is how the songwriting has expanded across the entire band this time around. You can hear the difference in the arrangements, the way tracks like “Crazy” build and release tension, or how “New Religion” weaves unexpected instrumentation into the mix. There’s tambourines, keyboards, and even trumpets showing up when you least expect them, adding layers without ever feeling overcrowded.

RUDE manages the difficult trick of sounding both nostalgic and fresh. It’s got that mid-2000s dance-punk energy without feeling derivative, and enough punk snarl to keep things dangerous while remaining insanely catchy. This is music for sweaty basement shows and festival main stages alike, and given they’re supporting The Hives on their European arena run next month, they’ll get to prove it.

Spiritual Cramp have delivered exactly the follow-up we needed: confident, fun, and bursting with personality. San Francisco should be proud.

Verdict: 💀💀💀💀💀

For fans of: Militarie Gun, Bad Nerves, The Hives

RUDE is released on October 24 via Blue Grape