Sløtface Film Buff
Sløtface's Film Buff arrives with punk-pop bravado and occasional narrative misfires, earning a middling but engaged critical reception that suggests the record is worth attention for its highs. Across three professional reviews, critics point to a handful of songs where the band’s charisma and melodic instincts coalesce, even as the album's film-and-TV conceit sometimes interrupts momentum.
Critics consistently praise the energetic punk/pop-punk delivery and Haley's charismatic vocals, noting that the record works best when riffs meet roomy hooks. The consensus score sits at 63.33/100 across 3 reviews, and reviewers repeatedly single out standout tracks as evidence: “Ladies Of The Fight” and “The Great Escape” for their staccato guitars and big-chorus payoff, “I Used To Be A Real Piece Of Shit” for its throat-grabbing opener energy, plus quieter moments like “I Confess, I Guess” and closer “Impression Of A Car Crash” for showing a more mature, breathing side. Professional reviews agree the band’s power-pop melodies and punk energy make several songs feel essential even when the album's sequencing or concept feels uneven.
While some critics flag inconsistent execution and moments where the film tropes distract, the overall picture is of a record with vivid peaks: when Sløtface pares back the concept and lets songs stand alone, the melodies and bite are often striking. The collection sets up a clear narrative for deeper listening and debate, and below you will find the full reviews that illuminate where Film Buff succeeds and where it slips.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Impression Of A Car Crash
1 mention
"an anthemic and heart-wrenching chorus. It’s both intimate and explosive and effectively hits the feels"— Clash Music
Ladies Of The Fight
3 mentions
"the staccato, Biffy-echoing guitars of ‘Ladies Of The Fight’"— DIY Magazine
The Great Escape
3 mentions
"the gigantically pop punk ‘The Great Escape’ that’s an ideal foil for Haley’s vocal"— DIY Magazine
an anthemic and heart-wrenching chorus. It’s both intimate and explosive and effectively hits the feels
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
I Used To Be A Real Piece Of Shit
Leading Man
Final Gørl
Ladies Of The Fight
Lift Heavy
I Confess, I Guess
Charlie Calls
Tired Old Dog
The Great Escape
Quiet On Set
Impression Of A Car Crash
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
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Critic's Take
There’s an immediate rush on Film Buff, led by Sløtface and the brash opener “I Used To Be A Real Piece Of Shit”, which lands like the record’s clearest statement of intent. The review finds the band most successful when songs stand alone - hear the staccato, Biffy-echoing guitars on “Ladies Of The Fight” and the gigantically pop-punk thrust of “The Great Escape” as the best tracks on Film Buff. Where the film-and-TV conceit falters, such as on “Charlie Calls” and “Tired Old Dog”, the momentum slips, but the highs make this a rewarding listen overall.
Key Points
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The best song is marked by punchy, staccato guitars and confident execution, making it the record’s standout.
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The album’s core strengths are energetic pop-punk moments and strong vocal hooks, tempered by an uneven conceptual through-line.
Themes
Critic's Take
A few years on, Sløtface return with Film Buff, a record that only really clicks in its best moments - notably “Ladies Of The Fight”, “I Confess, I Guess” and closer “Impression Of A Car Crash”. Sam Walker-Smart writes with a clear eye for the band’s growing pains, calling the opening run scattershot before the album finds grit and gorgeous vocal moments. The critic praises the maturity of “I Confess, I Guess” and the throat-grabbing immediacy of “Ladies Of The Fight”, arguing that when Sløtface lets songs breathe they are a hell of a lot of fun.
Key Points
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The best song is primarily “Ladies Of The Fight” because it grabs the listener and balances snarling energy with catchiness.
-
The album’s core strengths are Shea’s mature vocal moments and the record’s ability to be fun when songs are allowed to breathe.
Ke
Critic's Take
Sløtface's Film Buff plays like a patchwork of their strengths, and the best songs on Film Buff are the ones that marry bite with big hooks. The fiery opener “I Used To Be A Real Piece Of Shit” announces Haley's charisma, while “Lift Heavy” supplies power-pop charm and “Charlie Calls” drifts along on breezy melodies. The raucous riffs of “Quiet On Set” and “Ladies Of The Fight” remind you of the band's punk roots, but it is “The Great Escape” that feels like the pick of the bunch with its big chorus and heaps of character.
Key Points
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The best song, 'The Great Escape', is singled out for its big chorus and character, making it the album highlight.
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The album's core strengths are Haley Shea's charismatic vocals, a blend of punk bite and power-pop melodies, and varied heaviness.