Combat Sports (album)

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Combat Sports is the fourth studio album by English indie rock band The Vaccines, released on March 30, 2018, by Columbia Records. It’s the first album with keyboardist Timothy Lanham and drummer Yoann Intonti as full members, after they had joined as touring musicians during the English Graffiti era. The cover features Lanham wearing a T-shirt with the album title, an idea tied to the opening track “Put It on a T-Shirt.” The album’s title came after a fight in the studio between Justin Young and guitarist Freddie Cowan.

Musically, the band aimed for a more energetic, band-driven sound with influences from 70s and 80s rock. They worked with producer Ross Orton after early sessions with Patrick Wimberly; Orton pushed the band to focus on their own identity and scrap many early songs. Leonard Cohen’s death inspired sharper, more ambitious lyrics. Lyrically, Justin Young centers on themes of love and relationships.

Singles from Combat Sports include:
- I Can't Quit (3 January 2018)
- Nightclub (23 January 2018)
- Put It on a T-Shirt (2 March 2018)
- Surfing in the Sky (16 March 2018)
- Your Love Is My Favourite Band (23 March 2018)

The album reached number 4 on the UK Albums Chart. Critics generally gave it positive reviews, with The Line of Best Fit calling it a brash, attention-grabbing record and The Guardian praising its strong garage rock vibe and lyrics. All lyrics are by Justin Young, with music by The Vaccines.