THE CLAUSE – VICTIM OF A CASUAL THING -ALBUM REVIEW

“The Clause are a band with an ever-growing momentum behind them, being flung into the cusp of something bigger. ‘Victim Of A Casual Thing’ doesn’t feel like a new album, but more of a culmination of everything the band have produced so far, dashed with a few extra nuggets of gold. The quartet have laid everything bare, proudly displaying this album on their chest for all to see and experience making it a perfect compilation.”

5 Stars

Release date 24 October 2025

Forming a decade ago, 4-piece indie band The Clause are on the verge of releasing their debut album, Victim of a Casual Thing. This exciting group, hailing from Birmingham, have long established themselves as a huge live act through various festival slots and support opportunities that include James and The Reytons.

For me, this is a band that has had an ever-growing momentum behind them, being flung into the cusp of something bigger. Consisting of Pearce Macca (Frontman/Vocals), Liam Deakin (Guitar), Jonny Fyffe (Bass) and Niall Fennell (Drums), this album will strike a chord with guitar music fans of all generations. For fans of The Clause this won’t feel like a new album, more a culmination of everything the band has produced so far, dashed with a few extra nuggets of gold.

Blending a 60s rock sound and the attitude of the 90s this album is a statement. It’s big and it’s loud. This 12-track record doesn’t start how you’d expect. The ‘Prologue’ starts slow and mysterious. A huddle of background voices and an alarm before the synth rises up. Close your eyes and you’re transported to the pit beneath the stage. You can picture the band walking out ready to come alive at the mercy of all in front of them.

Before you have a second to gather yourself, they rip into ‘Nothing’s As It Seems’. One strum of the guitar and Macca’s vocals are in straight away. “Mysery in the morning papers” he bellows. The energy they deliver on stage is clearly translated to this opener, as the tone is set and the listener can feel the emotional-but-energetic lyrics transcend through them.

Up next is ‘Tell Me What You Want’. The bass quivers through the speakers of this confident hit. There’s a hint of disco before the song builds to the final Deakin guitar solo. Its heavily distorted and has the swagger you expect from this young collective.

Anyone who’s seen The Clause live knows this next hit. ‘In My Element’ was released in 2019 originally, but over the 6 years it has aged beautifully. The catchiest of songs in their arsenal, and one that never fails to deliver in their live shows.

There’s a hint of 60s blues influence on the bassline, featuring high energy drums which combine with dancefloor filling claps. It’s like rock meets a danceable groove.

Fans of Arctic Monkeys will be onboard with this next tune, ‘White Life Line’. A Matt Helders-esque drum beat combines for mayhem. If you look at the ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ era of the Alex Turner-led band you can see influences of massive hits like ‘Brianstorm’, ‘This House is a Circus’ and ‘Teddy Picker’. This fast and chaotic number will be a dancefloor filler on live shows to come. For me, this is the pick of the previously unheard songs.

Into mellower beats, the familiar whining riff that denotes the start of ‘Elisha’ echoes. This youthful ballad is built on Deakin’s riff combining with a catchy chorus. One for fans of Sam Fender and Catfish and the Bottlemen. It’s serving its purpose of combining the youthful exterior of the band to this point, whilst showcasing the adult vulnerability of their lyrics.

Now the band slow things down even more for ‘Exception’. A previously unheard song that builds into a roaring Macca chorus, giving him the chance to showcase the range and raspiness in his voice. Next up is ‘Weekend Millionaire’, the title track of their EP which was released around this time last year.

This catchy hit showcases the bands youthful essence, once more. It explores the life of so many working-class compatriots, working five days a week and living for the weekend. The catchy choruses start with a simple ‘Ooh ah’ each time, reminiscent of a chant for the terraces.

Another song fans of The Clause will be familiar with is ‘I Don’t Care’. A Hard-Fi inspired tune. It features an elastic bassline and punchy riff throughout. The lyrics highlight the youthful insistence of the band. “I’m going to waste my time, stay high ‘til the bitter end. And if i could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing”.

‘Fever Dream’ dips back into the band’s vulnerability. Pearce Macca’s voice croons over another bouncy riff from Liam Deakin and Fyffe’s persistent bassline. Fennells drums rise at the high point of the chorus. There’s a self-awareness to this song, which you can feel being thrown to one side as they cry “None of it will ever make sense to me”.

Maccas strong, raspy vocals continue into ‘Pink Moon’. This is a tender ballad that tows the line somewhere between Radiohead’s rock sound and the softer Britpop feel of Blur. Closing out the album is the coming-of-age anthem ‘Don’t Blink’. Featuring the reflectiveness lyrics of early-adulthood. It finds itself in a perfect spot at the end of this album, and you can almost feel the band reflecting on their youthful mistakes, whilst simultaneously pushing to stay young.

As someone who has seen The Clause play grassroots venues and festival stages, this is the perfect introduction to the band. You’ll be hard pushed to find a debut album that explores the elements of holding on to your youth, whilst pushing through into adulthood so well.

As with their live shows, you can expect an audience of all ages to love this album and cherish its quirks. The Birmingham quartet have laid everything bare, whilst proudly displaying this album on their chest for all to see and experience. It’s a perfect compilation of the band’s work to this date.

VICTIM OF A CASUAL THING TRACK LIST