Album Review: The Cribs – Selling a Vibe

Confident, Rooted and Unapologetically Themselves.

With Selling a Vibe, The Cribs prove once again why they’ve remained a cornerstone of British indie rock for nearly twenty years. The Jarman brothers resist the temptation to chase fleeting trends or wallow in nostalgia. Instead, they offer an album that feels lived-in, self-assured and emotionally grounded—a record that knows exactly who it is speaking to and does so with quiet confidence rather than flashy reinvention.

Produced by Patrick Wimberly, the album balances The Cribs’ familiar scrappy guitar-driven energy with a polished, modern touch. The sound is punchy without being overproduced, letting the melodies land while preserving the emotional heft of each track. It’s a careful equilibrium that revitalizes their signature sound without erasing the rawness that has always defined the band.

Lyrically, Selling a Vibe reflects a band maturing without losing its edge. Themes of brotherhood, identity and the passage of time recur throughout, giving the album a strong sense of unity and purpose. The honesty feels earned rather than performative; The Cribs aren’t presenting themselves as seasoned sages, but they are embracing the perspective that comes from years of experience. The songs often grapple with personal history, broken relationships and the quiet perseverance needed to keep moving forward—showing strength in vulnerability.

Lead single “Summer Seizures” demonstrates the band’s gift for marrying immediacy with melancholy, delivering hooks that linger long after the last note fades. Meanwhile, tracks like “A Point Too Hard to Make” and “Never the Same” lean into introspection, and the more energetic moments reaffirm the communal, raw spirit that has always been central to The Cribs’ identity.

What sets Selling a Vibe apart is its refusal to overstate itself. It doesn’t try to reassert relevance or rewrite the band’s legacy. Instead, it embraces continuity, proving that remaining true to a creative vision can be as powerful as radical reinvention. In a music landscape obsessed with reinvention, The Cribs remind listeners that authenticity still resonates.

Ultimately, Selling a Vibe isn’t a comeback—it’s a statement of intent. It’s the sound of a band comfortable in their own skin, still driven, still honest and still capable of crafting songs that stick. They aren’t selling hype—they’re selling a vibe, and it’s one worth experiencing.