The Irish band Gilla Band has released their fourth album, Pugnello, on September 25. Known for their unique blend of alternative rock, the group has remained independent of mainstream trends since forming in 2012. Their sound merges elements of white noise, techno, avant-garde electronic music, and punk, creating a compelling mix of chaotic noise and rhythmic grooves. The band consists of Dara Kiely (vocals), Alan Duggan Borges (guitar), Daniel Fox (bass), and Adam Faulkner (drums). Laura Snapes, deputy music editor at The Guardian, has praised Gilla Band's new album, calling them a "gem worth seeking out." In an interview with the American music website Pitchfork, she asked how an Irish group, described as unbound and free from taboos, managed to craft one of the most influential sound palettes in indie rock. The band's innovative approach has influenced a range of notable artists, including Fontaines DC, Idles, Dry Cleaning, Lankum, and The Horrors, who have acknowledged their impact in interviews. Gilla Band's journey has not been without challenges. In 2014, the band's singer, Dara Kiely, experienced a psychotic episode that led to a long hospitalization and a period of silence. After several years of inactivity and a name change from Girl Band, they returned with Most Normal in 2022, which re-established them as a leading force in experimental rock. Pugnello continues this evolution, offering an intense listening experience that evokes the chaos of a rave and the surreal tension of a sacrifice in an airplane reactor. The album features lyrics that are chanted in a monotone or screamed, blending nonsense, childhood memories, social commentary, and subtle references to Kiely's recently diagnosed schizophrenia. Lines like "Oh Joseph... / He lost all his sparkle / Actually, I like him without bubbles" and "Often I imagine what it would be like to be an accountant / A stable structure, a routine and a purpose / That kind of life would be so perfect / Especially because I'm schizophrenic" reflect the album's introspective and often unsettling themes. The English magazine Still Listening described Pugnello as "the perfect soundtrack to accompany a total collapse like a divine intervention," highlighting its oscillation between deafening noise and more abstract soundscapes. Fans are also encouraged to experience the band's live performances, with upcoming shows in Paris and Tourcoing.