The Molotovs Release Debut Album "Wasted On Youth"

The Molotovs today release their debut album, "Wasted On Youth" (Marshall Records). With a work ethic that has seen them play more than 600 shows, amassing new fans everywhere they go, the teenage duo - siblings Matt (17) and Issey Cartlidge (19) - are at the vanguard of a burgeoning new guitar-music movement.

Far from the apathy often attributed to Gen Z, "Wasted On Youth" is a record rooted in social optimism, rejecting the "lost generation" narrative, instead demanding that young people take up space, stay informed, and shape their own futures.

Matt said: "After tearing up every dive bar and stage on the circuit, finally unleashing "Wasted On Youth" feels electric. We’ve lived these songs on the road, pouring every ounce of sweat into the live show. To see that raw energy bottled into our debut album is massive - it’s the payoff we've been chasing."

Recorded at Marshall Studio with producer Jason Perry, and mixed and mastered by Blair Crichton from Dead Pony, "Wasted On Youth", features Matt and Issey with drummer Noah Riley. It includes the hit singles ‘More More More More’, ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’, ‘Rhythm of Yourself’ and ‘Get A Life’.

The band have honed their craft supporting, and taken inspiration from, legendary figures including Iggy Pop, Sex Pistols, Blondie, The Damned and The Libertines

"Wasted On Youth" is a life-affirming burst of new wave, punk, indie, and garage, opening with the blistering ‘Get A Life’, a direct strike against the toxic culture of social media negativity. From there, the band dives into the complexities of coming of age. Whether it’s the pressure of academic expectations in ‘Daydreaming’ or the hazy, rehab-bound fantasies of ‘Popstar’, the lyrics reflect a generation caught between societal demands and their own creative instincts.

“A lot of pressure is put on young people to know exactly what they want to do in life, which is just unrealistic,” said Matt. This sentiment anchors the title track, "Wasted On Youth", an anthem of self-doubt and the relentless passage of time. Yet, the album isn't just about the struggle; it’s a rejection of the "small-town mentality" found in ‘Geraldine’ and a fierce defence of individualism in ‘Rhythm Of Yourself’, a track born from the band’s refusal to be moulded by industry trends.

From the lockdown-induced frustrations of ‘Newsflash’ to the frantic energy of lead single ‘More More More More’, "Wasted On Youth" is as much a sonic riot as it is a cerebral one. It concludes with the defiant ‘Today's Gonna Be Our Day’, a powerful "call to arms" urging listeners to reject apathy and stay informed.

Issey said: “We want this record to be more than just noise; we want it to be a catalyst for connection. There’s so much isolation today, but we hope these songs foster a sense of community and genuine optimism. It’s about realizing you aren’t alone and finding the power to change things together."

About The Molotovs

London-based siblings Matt (17) and Issey Cartlidge (19) are The Molotovs, a high-octane duo at the forefront of a burgeoning revival of authentic guitar music. Eschewing the typical path of viral shortcuts, the pair built their reputation the hard way: playing more than 600 shows across the UK’s relentless live circuit. This grueling schedule has transformed them into one of the tightest, most explosive acts in the country.

Their debut album, "Wasted On Youth" (Marshall Records), serves as a fierce rejection of the "lost generation" narrative. Rather than leaning into apathy, The Molotovs champion social optimism, individuality, and a direct call to arms for Gen Z to take up space and stay informed.

Recorded at Marshall Studio with producer Jason Perry and mixed by Blair Crichton (Dead Pony), their sound bottles the raw, sweat-soaked energy of their live performances. From the chaotic spirit of ‘More More More More’ to the political urgency of ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’, The Molotovs aren't just playing rock and roll - they are revitalizing it for a new era.