357) Millie Manders and The Shutup - Wake Up, Shut Up, Work

In the three and a half years I have done this I have been amazed by the knowledge of people on music. I try to do one of my own and a request each week, although the requests are nearly done. The ones I choose I think I know what I am talking about but usually someone will tell me something of which I am not aware. The requests I think, “ah that’s a brilliant choice,” and sometimes I think “I have no bloody idea.” I read up and yep usually someone tells me something I don’t know.

For all the nonsense we get on social media it is worth it as there is a brilliant block button and many people, like me, are obsessed with music and love talking and reading about it.

We know where this is going, I have no idea who Millie Manders and the Shutup are.

Millie Manders formed the Shutup in 2015 and before I have listened to a note I am reading, they are a mix of punk and ska, which sounds all right to me.

Wake Up, Shut Up, Work was released in 2025 and is the bands second album. Twelve tracks in forty minutes. Angry Side opens with just a riff and Millie’s voice before the band explode in thirty seconds in. She has a strong voice and it’s an infectious opening. Shut Your Mouth the band launch straight in before Millie raps and sings, as she takes us through a toxic relationship.

Me Too is a read the lyrics song, sexual violence is the theme here, she clearly has a message she is keen to get across, the music and the message equally important.

Fun Sponge we have brass and an enthusiastic vocal from Millie and the band never let up, which they match on Windows, five songs in and this is a band giving their all. The music is upbeat, but the lyrics are personal and powerful as is her voice, caught a bit of them live on YouTube and the energy bounces off the screen, the chorus to Rebound would have a crowd bouncing.

Halloween is not so in your face, it shows a different side to the band, it’s a nice contrast and is delivered well, and the cello enhances the track, excellent.

The penultimate track is the single Can I Get Off? over a single riff Millie raps before her and the band storm the chorus and Pressure ends the record over a racing drum and bass beat as Millie sings “Am I a disappointment to you?”

No, Millie on this showing you certainly are not.

7/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Me Too