Spike F*ck – Evidence

Spike F*ck, though quite elusive by stage name, has never once tried to hide their story, emotions, or experiences throughout their decade-long musical career. Their first project, The Smackwave EP, was originally released in 2016. It not only dove headfirst into deeply personal subjects like addiction, heartbreak and mental illness, but also served as a musical time capsule steeped in 70s new wave sounds. The Smackwave EP and its eclectic, bold design proved that Spike F*ck has never intended to stick to the status quo. In the years since, the artist has subtly continued releasing singles and collaborating with others, seemingly waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Now, after a decade of discovering their voice, Spike F*ck is prepared to release their debut album, Evidence.

Can’t Get It Up opens the record with the new wave and post-punk stylings Spike F*ck has refined over the years. While the 70s and 80s are common musical reference points across genres today, Spike F*ck honours these conventions so authentically that a track like this would feel right at home on BBC Radio 2. Even the matter-of-fact vocal delivery in this introductory tune, as well as many other moments throughout the record, stays true to the iconoclasts of the era, like David Byrne, Robert Smith or Joe Strummer.

Though this artist has mastered a nostalgic sonic aesthetic, their direct, unfiltered lyricism is what truly sets them apart. Spike F*ck does not write in riddles. Instead, they share stories exactly as they experienced them. On Evidence, it even feels as though they ripped a page out of their personal diary. Had Your Way serves as a prime example, addressing a complex power dynamic where the artist was placed in a position of submission. Reflecting on the experience with a touch of guilt, Spike F*ck grapples with the lasting damage of being compromised or consumed by another person. Beneath the upbeat arrangement and infectious chorus lies an exceptionally vulnerable narrative, and Had Your Way is just one of many instances where the artist creates a striking dynamic between uplifted sounds and heavy storytelling.

A major standout on the record is All By Myself. While still reminiscent of classic new wave, the production steps into more experimental territory. Spike F*ck sprinkles subtle modern touches throughout the track, using varied guitar tones and dynamic vocal techniques. Their ability to manipulate their range and stylistic abilities across a single song highlights their versatility as a vocalist. Much like Had Your Way, the energetic instrumentation contrasts with a raw, accessible message regarding self-sabotage, depression, severe loneliness and an ongoing struggle with addiction. All By Myself stands as a comprehensive showcase of Spike F*ck’s capabilities, both lyrically and sonically.

Spike F*ck never leaves a story incomplete. Getting Sober, for instance, follows All By Myself and marks another chapter of candid self-reflection where themes of addiction and self-doubt are set against a deceptively bright, easygoing groove. As the album progresses toward its close, the tone shifts into even darker territory. Blue Light serves as a sombre, haunting lullaby that directly confronts grief and loss before the finale; Hate Me brings every narrative throughout Evidence to a raw climax as Spike F*ck pleads for someone else to see the darkness within them. Sobriety, mental health and emotional survival remain core topics throughout the record, and Spike F*ck maintains that unflinching clarity straight through to the final note.

Ultimately, Evidence stands as a complete, unfiltered body of work where no story is left half-told. The title itself serves as the perfect capstone as it is proof of personal survival, evidence of art as a vessel for catharsis and a testament to an artist’s decade-long evolution. Spike F*ck has not only delivered an excellent first full album, but they have transported listeners into their world – one filled with 70s and 80s new wave sounds and deep vulnerability.

Taryn Crowley
Image: Dylan Marriott

Evidence is released on 2^nd October 2026. For further information or to order the album, visit Spike F*ck’s website here.

Watch the video for All By Myself here: