STRUGGLES WITH SYNTAX – PETRICHOR

After struggling with syntax, Struggles With Syntax are set to release their debut album, Petrichor, this November.

It’s been a curious year since London group Struggles With Syntax last graced listeners with their EP, UK Garage Floor Fillers Vol. 4.

Gathering together during the pandemic to work on their debut album, Petrichor, earning airplay from Amazing Radio (in particular from presenters/Pigs X7 members Johnny Headley and Mat Batty) and international radio stations, the band also found themselves embroiled with an issue using the word “syntax.”

“It was a really odd situation, we got a cease and desist letter through from some chap in the states who trademarked the band name Syntax” vocalist Jo Llewellyn-Jones divulges. “He managed to get our stuff taken offline, as well as a load of other bands and artists.”

“Struggles with Syntax in struggles with ‘Syntax’” was a headline that kind of wrote itself, but nobody wrote.”

Having dealt with that issue, there was still the matter of recording an album of songs the collective – Ben Humphreys, James Boote and Rory O’Connor – had never played together until the recording process.

“It was generally ideas that either Ben or James would start and then they’d get pinged about and knocked together as very rough demos.” O’Connor reveals. “We then booked 5 days in a studio and decided just to go for it, and that’s when the bulk was recorded. It was exhausting, and a bit grubby.”

Petrichor is a term to describe the fresh smell after a rainfall, which the band thought was not only a “cool word” but an apt description of what the album is about and how it was made. A sense of renewal.

Recorded at Gun Factory Studios by Humphreys, Petrichor is a luscious 12 tracks that feels wholly different to their previous EPs as the band looked to take listeners on a journey with each song. Unintentionally influenced by what the band have been through over the last few years, there are moments where semblance of hope and a realisation of a shared humanity that emerges.

Struggling to get and to do better becomes the accidental theme throughout the album. With a modicum of humour the band are known for, of course.

“That’s all down to Ben really,” Jones reveals, “his production is awesome, he’s always adding things that surprise the rest of us. I guess going into this we knew it would be some time, if ever, that we got to make an album again so we wanted to go all out.”

Lead single “Jung Dreams”, now streaming on MUZAI Records’ Soundcloud page, is a perfect example of the band’s new work; a brutal, aggressive, cathartic release at the very start of Petrichor, the band describe it as “weird” but with a big, anthemic melody.

The anthemic element is concurrent throughout the album – from the danceable, catchy chorus of “Ticky” to their stab at being a “massive stadium rock band” with “Hand Of God,” Petrichor has a pent up aggressiveness amongst its smirking moments that is freed as each track unfurls throughout the album.

That sensation of something fresh after a cleansing rainfall? It’s exactly what Struggles With Syntax have made with Petrichor.

PETRICHOR is available digitally and on cassette tape through MUZAI Records from November 15th 2021.

The Band and Their Process

Struggles With Syntax are a London-based collective whose creative dynamic hinges on the interplay between its four members. Jo Llewellyn-Jones provides the distinctive vocal presence that anchors their sound, while Ben Humphreys, James Boote, and Rory O’Connor form the instrumental core. Their collaborative method is deliberately loose: ideas are initiated by one member, often Humphreys or Boote, then circulated as rough demos before being shaped into final form. This ping-pong approach means that no single person dictates the direction, resulting in music that feels both spontaneous and meticulously layered.

The band’s decision to record Petrichor in just five days at Gun Factory Studios was a calculated risk. By limiting studio time, they forced themselves to commit to performances rather than endlessly refine takes. O’Connor’s description of the process as “exhausting, and a bit grubby” hints at the physical and emotional toll, but also at the raw energy captured in the recordings. The album’s twelve tracks emerged from this crucible, with Humphreys’ production adding unexpected textures that surprised even his bandmates.

This approach stands in contrast to their earlier EPs, which were more piecemeal and less conceptually unified. With Petrichor, the band aimed for a cohesive journey, sequencing songs to build and release tension across the album’s runtime. The result is a record that rewards attentive listening, with each track revealing new details on repeat plays.

Track-by-Track Overview

While the full tracklist is best experienced as a whole, several songs on Petrichor stand out for their distinctive character. Opening track and lead single “Jung Dreams” sets the tone with its brutal, aggressive energy and anthemic melody—a cathartic release that immediately signals the album’s intent. “Ticky” follows with a danceable, catchy chorus that showcases the band’s knack for pop hooks without sacrificing their edge.

“Hand Of God” finds the band indulging their stadium rock aspirations, a tongue-in-cheek stab at enormity that nonetheless delivers genuine power. Other tracks explore quieter dynamics, offering moments of introspection amidst the pent-up aggression. The album’s title track, if present, would likely embody the theme of renewal, but the band has kept the full sequence under wraps to preserve the listening experience.

What unites these songs is a sense of struggle—both in their creation and in their lyrical concerns. The band’s trademark humour surfaces throughout, preventing the album from becoming overly earnest. This balance between weight and wit is a defining feature of Petrichor.

Production and Sound

Ben Humphreys’ production on Petrichor is a crucial element of its identity. Working at Gun Factory Studios, he crafted a sound that is both lush and raw, layering guitars, synths, and vocals into dense arrangements that still breathe. His tendency to add surprising elements—a sudden shift in texture, an unexpected sample, a buried melody—keeps the listener engaged and gives the album its “weird” yet accessible quality.

The band’s influences are wide-ranging, from post-punk and indie rock to electronic music, and this eclecticism is reflected in the production choices. The anthemic quality noted in the existing text is achieved through careful use of dynamics: verses often simmer with tension before exploding into choruses. This approach makes Petrichor feel both intimate and expansive, suitable for headphones and large rooms alike.

For fans of their earlier work, the evolution in sound is evident. The lo-fi grit of their EPs has been refined without losing its edge, resulting in a more polished but no less visceral listening experience. The cassette release, in particular, adds a warm analogue character that complements the album’s themes of organic renewal.

Release and Availability

Petrichor is available digitally and on cassette tape through MUZAI Records from November 15th 2021. The cassette format is a deliberate nod to the album’s tactile, earthy themes, offering a physical artifact that contrasts with the digital streaming experience. Fans can find the album on major digital platforms as well as directly from the label’s website.

For those interested in exploring more from Struggles With Syntax, their previous EPs, including UK Garage Floor Fillers Vol. 4, remain available and provide context for the band’s development. The label’s catalogue also includes other releases that share a similar spirit of experimentation, such as DUHKQUNT – SPACE COMMUNION, which may appeal to listeners drawn to the band’s adventurous side.

As with all MUZAI Records releases, Petrichor benefits from the label’s commitment to supporting artists who push boundaries. The album’s journey from pandemic-era demos to finished product is a testament to the band’s resilience and the label’s willingness to back unconventional projects.

Reception and Impact

Early response to Petrichor has been positive, with airplay on Amazing Radio and international stations helping to build anticipation. The band’s struggle with the “Syntax” trademark issue, while frustrating, inadvertently raised their profile, drawing attention to their music from new listeners. The headline that “nobody wrote” became a talking point in itself, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

The album’s themes of renewal and shared humanity have resonated with audiences emerging from a period of global uncertainty. Tracks like “Jung Dreams” and “Hand Of God” have been singled out for their cathartic energy, while the album’s quieter moments provide space for reflection. This balance has earned the band comparisons to artists who successfully blend aggression with melody.

As Struggles With Syntax continue to promote Petrichor, the album stands as a milestone in their career—a document of a band finding its voice amidst chaos. Whether they will have the opportunity to record another album remains uncertain, but for now, Petrichor captures a moment of creative flowering that is both fresh and enduring.