Declan McKenna, What Do You Think about the Car? – review: ‘Political messages packaged inside great pop songs’

With his songs about Fifa corruption, transgender conversion therapy and police brutality, 18-year-old Declan McKenna is already being hailed as the social conscience of Generation Z.

His debut, produced by James Ford, the man behind records by Florence and Arctic Monkeys, is a startling collection of big-picture pop that elevates McKenna high above the usual bedroom balladeers.

In his slurred delivery and lyrical wordplay, the Hertfordshire singer-songwriter echoes Jamie T, while the music pinballs from folk to rock to electro.

The album’s greatest achievement, however, is packaging these political messages inside great pop songs, complete with memorable melodies and compelling choruses.

For a scathing attack on religion, Bethlehem isn’t half catchy. The merits of McKenna’s car remain a mystery throughout; the merits of his debut are obvious and many.