From First Track To Last, Nicotine Dolls Deliver The Goods.

Nicotine Dolls waste little time making their mark on their self-titled album. Frontman Sam Cieri’s raw, unmistakable vocals sit at the heart of a collection packed with bruising guitars, hard-hitting rock and quieter moments that cut just as deep.

Across the album, the band move between muscular rock and more restrained passages without losing their edge. The contrast keeps things moving, giving the heavier tracks room to hit while allowing the quieter moments to land.

‘Wild’ kicks things off with a ticking guitar intro before Cieri’s silky yet rough-edged vocals take centre stage. A tribal rhythm drives the track forward, giving it an almost animalistic feel as the guitars build around Cieri’s vocals.

From there, ‘Gimme Sympathy’ veers into industrial chaos, with John Newsome’s screeching guitars matched by Cieri’s ferocious vocals. There’s a distinct ’80s rock ’n’ roll edge to the track, its abrasive sound pushing the album into darker territory. Cieri explains the thinking behind the song: “It’s about the people in your life who only know how to take, with no accountability or desire to return the favour.” That frustration comes through in every snarling vocal and crashing guitar.

‘Here To California’ shifts the mood, with Cieri’s smooth, controlled vocals winding around striking guitar work and the steady pulse of Abel Tabares’ drumming. It’s a moment of real class and, by far, the album’s standout track.

‘Drive Away’ slows things down, bringing a bluesy edge to the mix. There’s a warmth to the arrangement that makes you want to take someone by the hand and head straight into the night, letting the music do the talking.

One of my favourites on the album, ‘Punch Drunk Lovin’’ strips things back to Cieri’s voice and an acoustic guitar. The combination is captivating, particularly as he delivers the line, “Punch drunk lovin’, you just keep swinging.” There’s an almost teasing quality to the vocal, drawing you in and encouraging you to let go and drift with the song. Tabares’ gentle drumming sits quietly beneath it all, giving the track a soothing quality that makes it one of the album’s most intimate moments.

‘Enemy’ hits hard, driven by brash guitars, pounding drums and angry vocals. As Cieri snarls, “I am not your enemy”, the track surges forward, delivering one of the album’s most forceful moments.

“Did you tell your wife the secrets, like the ones you left behind?” That opening line of ‘Wanted You To Know’ sets the tone for a closing track steeped in turmoil and regret. Guitar solos cut through the tension as Cieri delivers a vocal that feels raw yet controlled, bringing the album to an emotionally charged finish.

Nicotine Dolls have delivered an album that hits hard, digs deep and proves there’s far more to this band than their live reputation.

Production Detail’s

Co-Producers: Sam Cieri and Marti Frederiksen
Release Date: October 23, 2026
Record Label: BMG
Tracks 12