Claimed Choice are a French band from Lyon, and this marks the fourth entry in their discography. They debuted in 2022 with a self-titled LP, followed by a 7″ single and a split with Canada’s No Heart in 2023. Claimed Choice mix elements of Oi!, pub rock, and glam, all driven by two guitars. The result is a pulsating and entertaining bootboy blend, played in a mid- to fast-tempo style. The focus here is clearly on the guitars and the lead vocals. I also saw Claimed Choice live this year, and I have to say I enjoyed them even more than on record – in a club setting their rhythm section really stands out, and the whole performance has great drive.
Their new self-titled LP from 2025 includes eight songs, six sung in English and two in French. The opener Bootboys perfectly represents the band’s style – driving rhythm guitars, barked vocals, and as a bonus here – harmonica on top of it all. Make Some Noise is a fast rock’n’roll song and a Friday-night call to rebellion. The third track, Outcasts (full title Faith of the Outcasts), is easily the biggest hit of the record, maybe even of the band’s career so far. Next comes the more punk rock-oriented Knock You Out.
Side B kicks off with the banger Brave New World, a sharp critique of society. Then comes the intense Contre La Montre, followed by the revolutionary-charged Wolves and Sheeps. The album closes with Six Pieds Sous Terre, a track that takes me back to the days when I was listening to Charge 69, even if stylistically Claimed Choice go in a slightly different direction.
If I had to pick highlights, my favorites would be the French-sung Six Pieds Sous Terre and Contre La Montre, along with Bootboys (Don’t Stop), Outcasts, and Make Some Noise. Overall, though, this is a really strong and compact album – one that has the potential to reach beyond the skinhead crowd and appeal to a broader audience. Claimed Choice blend their influences with confidence and deliver music of top quality. The record even includes all the lyrics, so make sure you grab a copy before it inevitably sells out.
TOP TRACKS: Outcasts, Six Pieds Sous Terre, Make Some Noise
