Canadian The Prowlers released their album Prowl Around in 2022, in collaboration with several labels across continents. In the band’s discography, it’s only their second full-length after Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow. It might sound surprising, given how long they’ve been around, but besides these two LPs they also put out the 10″ On The Run in 2014, plus a bunch of splits with other bands and several EPs. All in all, the discography of this crew, formed back in 1998, is pretty varied and rich. For me personally, Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow (2001) was a crucial record that left a strong mark on me. That’s why I’m glad to see The Prowlers staying active in recent years, touring, and – most importantly – releasing new material that’s every bit as strong.

Prowl Around brings eleven songs – ten in English and one French-language cover of a ’90s Canadian band, The Impact from Quebec. Musically, I’d say it will appeal to fans of The Oppressed or Angelic Upstarts, though with a bit of a harder edge. The sound is a distinct oi-punk with football-chant-style choruses and a raw aggro undertone – exactly the way I like it. The lyrical themes revolve around drinking, street fights and riots, but also touch lightly on aging and the persistence of making bad decisions. The record also features the song Loonies Days, which had already appeared on the split with Rude Pride, and it’s a really solid track. What remains constant is the clear SHARP stance, and The Prowlers haven’t really changed thematically – which I value a lot. At the same time, their musical performance has matured, even though I already loved it twenty years ago.

The standout tracks for me are You – about being snitched on, One Night On The Run – about a drunken night descending into the usual chaos like back in the day, and Were You Really One Of Us – about those who disappeared from the subculture, even though they once pretended to be part of it. Overall, it’s an excellent Oi! record, the kind of release every die-hard should own in their collection. Putting this on with your mates at the start of the night, having a few drinks, and heading into the city in a Durango 95 guarantees a wild night with everything that comes with it.

The LP also includes all the lyrics and a thank-you list – for me, an essential detail I really appreciate. For people whose first language isn’t English, it makes a big difference and adds to the overall impression of the record.