Tom Minor has always been an artist who leans into the discomfort of the human condition with a smirk and a sharp melody. His sophomore effort, Ten New Toe-Tappers for Shoplifting & Self-Mutilation, is a masterclass in what he calls existential indie. Despite the clever misnomer in the title, the project delivers twelve tracks that feel both refined and urgent, marking a significant evolution from his debut. Produced by Teaboy Palmer, the album strikes a sophisticated balance between Britpop charm and the grit of indie rock. It is a collection that manages to be infectious while tackling heavy subject matter with a wit that is uniquely London in its delivery.
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A standout moment on the project is Expanding Universe, featuring The Creatures of Habit. The song captures a feeling of cosmic distance, as Minor sings about an ongoing festival of a feeble existence while watching debonair from a distance. The imagery of driving past ballparks in a pumped up, pimped up hearse is quintessential Minor, blending the macabre with the mundane. He suggests a world where we are busy running brand new streets while satellites fall upon us without remorse. The track carries a mercenary weight, reminding listeners that it is an expanding universe where we outgrow promises and leave the past to rot.
The album also pushes boundaries with Washed-Up Buoy, where the songwriting takes an experimental turn. The lyrics, “You gotta fake the blues if you ain’t got em,” highlight the performative nature of survival. Meanwhile, Obsessive Compulsive delivers a rhythmic energy that captures the frantic nature of modern anxiety.
Lines like “Clusters of multiple issues be handled with autistic precision” show a writer unafraid to be blunt and persuasive. Returning favourites like Change It! provide a defiant anthem for personal redevelopment.
Minor admits to being confused every day yet remains committed to switching on the sun and finding a new paradigm. Whether he is exploring the sonic depths of Progressive or Punk or revisiting the loneliness of being the last person on earth, Minor manages to reach a level of production that feels expansive.
Ten New Toe-Tappers for Shoplifting & Self-Mutilation is a dense, rewarding listen that finds beauty in the breakdown. It proves that Tom Minor is not just raising the bar; he is creating his own.
