EP Review KNIVES – REGLITTER I

KNIVES – REGLITTER I

Words by Phil Ingham

Bristolian six-piece Knives dropped their debut album ‘GLITTER’ in May 2025, an eleven-song slab of post-punk chaos that met with critical acclaim.

Not a group to rest on their laurels, they have now released a follow-up EP ‘REGLITTER I’.

For this one, the band picked up the phone to some of their muso friends to rework tracks from their debut, and a couple from the cutting floor.

Opening the EP is ‘CORAZÓN’, a song that didn’t make the final eleven of the debut. But, with influence from C.A. Francis from DITZ, a pacy, aggressive tune emerges full of the Knives DNA. We’re taken along on a wave of stabbing guitar, rumbling bass and urgent drumming with Jay Schottlander’s trademark snarling vocals telling the tale. Midway through the song, Schottlander gives way to Francis and the song spirals into something darker and dirtier and a little unhinged. A strong opener.

Next up is ‘SUGAR’, another new track. An insistent, urgent bassline that rattles the bones drives the track, with a tribal-esque drumbeat adding a manic intensity that perfectly suits the aggressive vocal. The Callous Daoboys’ Carson Pace has his fingerprints on this, and it shows. A violent, visceral cracker.

Both new tracks could sit comfortably with the first eleven of ‘GLITTER’, testimony to the quality of output coming from a band very much on the way to big things.

Two rehashed songs from the album make up the remainder of the EP.

‘the dagger’ takes the opening track from the debut album and completely pulls the rug. This reworked version strips away the jagged guitar of the original and replaces it with thumping synth and electronic drums. The heaviness remains, but the collaboration with Death Goals has transformed the track – while its roots are recognisable, the resulting song has grown into something bold and new.

Closing the EP is ‘phd’ which, with the influence of post-punk pals chest, follows a much closer path to the original. While retaining all the purpose and anger it feels like a somehow cleaner, more polished version. Removing some of the grime has removed a little of the character too.

With ‘REGLITTER I’, Knives prove they’re not just revisiting old ground—they’re tearing it up and rebuilding with bold new colours. Each collaboration injects fresh energy, pushing the band’s sound into unexpected territory while keeping their post-punk heart beating strong. If this EP is anything to go by, ‘REGLITTER II’ promises even more surprises. Knives aren’t just one of the hottest tickets around—they’re a band in constant motion, and you won’t want to miss where they go next.

Track Listing:

1. CORAZÓN
2. SUGAR
3. the dagger
4. phd

Band:

Jay Schottlander – Vocals

Erin Cook – Drums

Ben Marshall – Bass

Dan Farren – Guitar

Josh Cook – Guitar

Tegan O’Connor – Sax