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Troubles – “Red Alert” | Album Review

by | Apr 29, 2026

General Information

Personnel:

Ida-Lotta – guitar, vocals
Laura – bass, vocals
Mikko – drums

Release Date: April 24, 2026

Label: Blue Bear Records

Producer: Ville Valavuo

Setting the Scene

Red Alert is the debut album from the Finnish band, Troubles, a band that formed in 2023. Despite being quite young, they already show a strong personality, not only in their music but also in how they manage it.

First Impression

We’ve been hearing the phrase “punk is not dead” for decades, but Red Alert makes it feel more alive than it ever was. The fact that Troubles rejected putting the album on Spotify made the record feel more meaningful in my eyes before I even heard a single note. Once the music starts, it’s exactly what it needs to be: the songs are short, exciting, and punchy, with hooks buried all over the album.

Similar Sounds

If you’re into any of these artists, this album should be on your radar.

Bikini KillThe StoogesAmyl and the Sniffers

Visual Vibes

The cover of Red Alert is a high-contrast blast of red, black, and white that mirrors the album’s urgent, “breathless” sound. The DIY, zine-style collage perfectly represents the independent spirit of Troubles. The album art, like the music, screams: loud, unpolished, and immediate.

Track on Repeat

“Eve”

A perfect, powerful punk anthem that stands out, delivering a catchy, feminist message through incredible sound and passionate vocal performance.

In-depth Notes

Musical Shape 🎸

Red Alert is driven by simple, exciting riffs and a relentless pace. From the catchy opening of “Ghouls” to the live-ready energy of “Gimme Danger”, to the punk-anthem feel of “Eve”, the instrumentation is punchy and direct throughout. 

Vocal Performance 🎤

Ida-Lotta and Laura deliver a standout performance, building an impressive vocal interplay that keeps the energy high across the entire album. The vocals are an anchor for the identity of Red Alert and Troubles‘ garage punk style, sounding powerful, raw, and incredibly sharp on every track.

Production Quality 🎧

The production on Red Alert hits a great balance between a gritty, unrefined edge and the clarity needed to keep everything sharp. The tracks are short and punchy, which keeps the energy high and leaves you wanting more.

Themes and Concepts 💭

Troubles speaks about feminism and social issues with a bold, gritty energy. The fast, hard-hitting music matches the seriousness of the lyrics, making the message hit just as quickly as the sound.

Final Verdict

Red Alert is as perfect as a debut can be, an explosive surge of gritty garage punk that pairs bold social messages with fast, hard-hitting riffs and powerful expressive vocals.

Mood Meter

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Intensity

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Melancholy

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Darkness

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Emotional

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Serenity

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Energy

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Romance

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Joyfulness

Perfect For…

Working outhigh energy for a more intense workout
Driving – but keep your eyes on the road
Gaming – Enjoy while playing your favorite games

Emotional Struggle – Heavy music for heavy emotional weights

Get the Album

Reuel Way

Being a feminist has been normalized as an irregularity through our patriarchal society, so I'd rather be called a "decent human" than a "feminist man". I breathe Metal and Rock and have a screwed-up sense of humour.