Melbourne’s politically charged Nu Punk misfit MUDRAT has dropped his debut album, and it’s full of bangers.
While he’s been around for a little while—dropping his first single on Feb 19, 2020—Mudrat got some serious eyes on him with the single “I HATE RICH CUNTS” in 2024. A catchy but powerful pop punk jam with a rapped verse and shouty punk chorus, it’s the kind of track that earworms every time you hear it. Releasing a steady stream of singles since, Mudrat has now gathered them together with some new songs for a full-length album.
Opening Statement
The album begins with a spoken-word acknowledgment of the Indigenous owners of the land the album was recorded on, setting the tone for the themes the listener will encounter. Mudrat makes it clear right from the gate what you’re going to get as you dive into Social Cohesion.
Track by Track
Break Free
A great tone-setter, this one is a throwback 80’s punk jam with angry shouted vocals, plenty of C-Bombs, and a sing-along chorus.
Last Night
One of the pre-release singles, this track pulls back the intensity in exchange for a melodic, catchy chorus that begs to be sung along to.
FME
Catchy and toe-tapping, FME balances a rapper verse with a disco punk chorus. The gang-chanted “Fuck My Enemies” will have you shouting along, while guest vocalist BVT drops some sick bars that elevate the track.
I HATE RICH CUNTS
The aforementioned single and still my favourite on the record. With its pop sensibility and tight bars, the track delivers a strong message wrapped in an infectious framework. To me, this song is quintessentially Mudrat’s MO.
You Don’t Care About Poor People
Brings back a more punk sound with a poppy lean and hard-hitting social commentary in the lyrics.
Face To Face
A deeply personal and moving track about confronting an abusive family member in hospital. There’s a palpable sadness woven through this song, and the narrative lyrics hit hard if you sit with them. Especially the closing line—it’s a gut punch. This was a hard listen for me, not due to musical shortcomings, but because of the raw emotion Mudrat conveys. It feels lived-in, and that makes it all the more powerful.
MUD25 (Parts 1 & 2)
This two-part track starts soulful and transitions into a loud, sing-along rocker. It reminded me of Idles in their more artsy mode, and it grew into one of my favourites on the album.
A Beautiful Mess
The closer carries a post-punk vibe with quiet, clean guitars that build into a loud, almost Deftones-esque shoegaze wall of sound. Heavy, epic, and the perfect way to end such a bold album.
Final Thoughts
As far as punk albums go, you’re either going to love them or not. Many stick to formulaic structures or lean too heavily into sub-genre labels. Mudrat’s debut album definitely sits under the punk umbrella, but what makes it engaging is its variety—hip hop elements, catchy hooks, raw heaviness, and deeply emotional cuts in the latter half. It never gets boring.
Mudrat is outwardly political and makes no apologies for it. He seamlessly fits strong messaging and raw emotion into short, catchy tracks without ever sounding forced—he’s simply saying what he believes.
And that’s the point: the true measure of any art form is its ability to make you feel. Whether you’re shouting along in solidarity or turning it off in disgust, Mudrat has achieved that.
Rating: 8.5/10
Listen / Follow MUDRAT
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Reviewer: Mick Da Zombie
