Sports Team. That’s that UK post-punk band, isn’t it? Yes, it is. Or in fact: it was. By the sound of their new single they’ve shaken off their guitar-led style in favour of a more polished sound. Quite a dramatic change and, to be honest, one I don’t appreciate very often. But please meet the exception to the rule!

If, music-wise, you’re into the ‘80s, into sophisticated pop and into Prefab Sprout in particular, you’ll love Sports Team’s new direction. Some 45 years after the original New Romantics movement started forming, Sports Team takes it to a whole new generation. The opening seconds of their single I’m In Love (Subaru) are instantly likeable, and it takes less than 5 seconds for the saxophone to kick in. Four smooth and delightful minutes follow.

“The mood of the first verse and the chorus is quite sincere, a Hollywood-inspired, teenage love song. But by the time we get to the second verse, we’ve found the worm in the middle of that apple,” says guitarist and lyricist Rob Knaggs. “All the symbols of teenage rebellion, the car itself, have all been co-opted into selling something that can’t actually be bought.”

Vocalist Alex Rice adds: “Having been in London guitar world for a quite while, I began looking at people like Bryan Ferry and how it can be a bit more fun if you play around with characters. He looks like he’s having a better time than a lot of the bands from our generation, and that’s what you want to be shooting for.”

I’m In Love (Subaru) is the first single from the London sextet’s forthcoming album Boys These Days, which is due on 28 February 2025.

This week, I’m In Love (Subaru) by Sports Team is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This implies that it will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for a full seven days.

More Sports Team @ Carte Blanche Music

Follow the band on Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2024 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.