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Written By Wolves

Written By Wolves

THE LIGHTHOUSE

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WRITTEN BY WOLVES – THE LIGHTHOUSE – ALBUM REVIEW

New Zealand’s Written By Wolves introduced the world to their ambitious modern rock sound on their 2019 debut record, ‘Secrets’. A certain global pandemic made it hard for new artists to capitalize on momentum, but the quality of that release garnered enough attention to pique the interest of music fans around the world.

A concept record looking to open conversations on mental health, ‘Secrets’ explored why we don’t feel comfortable talking about something so integral to our wellbeing. Now with their sophomore release, ‘THE LIGHTHOUSE’, Written By Wolves delve into the idea of what can pull you away from the darkness and into the light.

A person, a place, a song, a tv show… what can help you to overcome the brutally relentless pitfalls of our mental health. Over the course of the album, you are taken on a journey of discovery through the insightful and thought-provoking lyrics and expansive sonic onslaught.

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Written By Wolves – ‘PLEASE JUST BREATHE’

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You can feel the genuine belief in the idea of a lighthouse as the band get incredibly personal on this stunning collection. A standout moment comes from the incredibly powerful, ‘PLEASE JUST BREATHE’, which details the day when vocalist Michael Murphy’s dad died and everything he went through to try and be at his bedside before he passed.

Indeed, the entire album will get you right in the feels and illicit an internal conversation which will hopefully lead to you understanding your own lighthouse. Our ability to discuss our own mental welfare has seen progress in recent years but remains lightyears away from true enlightenment. Records like this therefore remain so important!

Take away the importance of the themes of the album though and you’re still left with a musically sublime set of tracks and that’s what helps to elevate this album to new heights. Hopefully this time the band can capitalise unhindered.

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Soft Play

Soft Play

Heavy Jelly

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SOFT PLAY – HEAVY JELLY – ALBUM REVIEW

Given the regular criticism for modern punk’s over-reliance of cliches, it’s either fitting or ironic depending on your viewpoint that we are going to reel out a few in this review for new Soft Play album, ‘Heavy Jelly’.

The first cliché is that of reinvention, after all your probably still acclimatising to calling the band formerly known as Slaves by their new moniker Soft Play. Credit apparently goes to Bob Vylan for pushing the band over the line on a decision talked about for years – that of changing their troublesome title.

After an extended period of inactivity which saw many questioning the future of the duo, Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent reconvened and announced their return in December of 2022, before returning to the stage last summer.

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Soft Play – ‘Punk’s Dead’

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The rebranding of the band saw polarised opinions from fans which is addressed brashly in the albums second track, ‘Punk’s Dead’. Whilst delivered with tongue-in-cheek vitriol, the track acts as a palate-cleanser for the band and resets the relationship with the fans still on board – the next cliché being that this track really kickstarts this new era for the band.

That raging swagger continues into the likes of ‘Act Violently’ and ‘Isaac Is Typing…’, as the band reminds us that they’ve got teeth to go with their playful sound. Indeed, another cliché to pull out is that this feels like a back-to-basics approach from the duo which sees ‘Heavy Jelly’ become the closest release in terms of visceral energy to their heralded debut, ‘Are You Satisfied?’.

You could say then that this is a much-feted return to form, but the cliches are wearing a little thin now! Unlike this spectacular album, which is just half an hour long, with only finale, ‘Everything and Nothing’ breaching a runtime of over circa three minutes. The slimline approach helps to increase the feeling of vitality which exudes from your speakers as you take in this thoroughly enjoyable record.

It’s great to see Vincent and Holman working together again and with ‘Heavy Jelly’, they’ve put down a significant marker for their future output!

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Travis

Travis

L.A. Times

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TRAVIS – L.A. Times – Album Review

‘L.A. Times’ represents the tenth studio album from Scottish indie heroes Travis and it finds the band in fine form, instantly reminding the listener why they fell in love with the band in the first place.

Releases from the group may be more sporadic these days but the songs crafted by messrs Healy, Payne, Dunlop and Primrose still captivate as distinctively as ever. Indeed, over the course of the ten tracks on this album, you’ll pick up on elements of their best work alongside a stronger feeling of showmanship.

Those added bells and whistles help to ensure that these songs, recorded as per the title in Los Angeles, feel fresh and different whilst maintaining that reassuring familiarity. Lead single ‘Gaslight’ being a good example of how the foursome have taken their standard sound into more ambitious sonic territory.

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Travis – ‘Gaslight’

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Described by Fran Healy as their most personal album since, ‘The Man Who’, you can genuinely hear how these tracks mean that little bit more than most their recent output. Healy in particular sounds more present with his trademark voice able to infiltrate your own consciousness with renewed gravity.

There is an interesting cross-pollination of the meaningful and the light-hearted both musically and lyrically over the course of the album and that makes for an engaging listening experience. The title-track which closes out the record is probably the most interesting song that the band have created together, and shows that they still have the ability to amaze.

The likes of ‘Alive’, ‘Bus’ and ‘Raze the Bar’ will stand the test of time and the album as a whole is up there with the likes of ‘The Man Who’ and ‘The Invisible Band’. It’s a pleasant surprise to know that some three decades into their career, Travis can still create a little magic.

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Kasabian

Kasabian

Happenings

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KASABIAN – HAPPENINGS – ALBUM REVIEW

Playing a surprise set at Glastonbury Festival last weekend, Kasabian reminded the world that despite obvious line-up changes they remain a viable proposition live. Since said line-up alteration however, they’ve still yet to truly convince fans that they can also produce the goods on record – not at least in the way that fans want.

Therewithin lies the wider issue facing the band. Any act experimenting with their sound will always face backlash from fans reticent towards change, but when you remove an iconic singer and reshuffle the deck that scrutiny is bound to reach unfair levels.

It’s important therefore to not try and assess ‘Happenings’ against the first six albums, because through sentimentality and rose-tinted glasses anything new will always fall short and the cold reality is that the same would probably be true even with the original line-up.

More relevant therefore is how does ‘Happenings’ stack up against 2022’s reinvention record, ‘The Alchemist’s Euphoria’? We described that record as a cleansing album that reset the story for the band stating, “This album does what it needs to do to shore up the ship, but it almost leaves you now asking what’s next?”

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Kasabian – ‘Darkest Lullaby’

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Well, what’s next is a ten song collection with a runtime of nearly 28 minutes dead, which means it’s a succinct and to the point album designed to capture their live energy on record. Frontman Serge Pizzorno has discussed writing this album from the perspective of how the songs will sound live, and the early songs on the album all will translate well on this front.

‘Darkest Lullaby’, ‘Call’, ‘How Far Will You Go’, ‘Coming Back To Me Good’ and the previously released ‘Algorithms’ will all fit into a modern Kasabian setlist with ease and from that standpoint it’s mission achieved for Pizzorno and co.

That said and returning to the earlier point – there are no big hitters on this album. No song that you instantly hold up as on par with their early hits. That however is an impossible measuring stick and shouldn’t take away from the fact that this is another decent if unspectacular showing for this new look version of Kasabian.

If you forget the past, and only focus on the now then you’ll find this to be a short, sharp fling of upliftingly fun dance-indie tunes. If however, you long for indie-rock anthems you’re better off looking into the new breed of indie rock band presently emerging.

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The Warning

The Warning

Keep Me Fed

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THE WARNING – KEEP ME FED – ALBUM REVIEW

The Warning have been building a hardcore fanbase going back a few years before the world shut down. It’s since the world opened back up however that the Mexican trio have really taken off. Every show, whether it be a headline sell out, huge support slot or massive festival opportunity, has been seized with both (or all six) hands!

Now the sisters are preparing for world domination with their all-conquering fourth studio album, ‘Keep Me Fed’!

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With six of the twelve tracks already out prior to release, anticipation was high for the record and the remaining half more than meets the expectations set. In fact, if you were going to sit down to write a modern rock album with enough pop sensibility to become a crossover success, then ‘Keep Me Fed’ would be about as perfect as you could get.

We already knew that there were a plethora of strong singles on this record, but when the album as a whole hits as well as this does you have to take note. Often the hype just isn’t really justified, but with The Warning it feels like they are only warming up.

‘Keep Me Fed’ is the ideal album to jump on the bandwagon with because fans old and new will thoroughly enjoy what the trio have captured.

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Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons

Loom

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After releasing an enormous 32 song double album in 2022 that ran to an absurd 1 hour and 42 minutes, Imagine Dragons are back already but this time they’ve slimlined their approach.

New album, ‘Loom’, sits with just nine tracks and a runtime of just 28 minutes, which makes it instantly more accessible as a collection. ‘Mercury Acts 1&2’ of course did include some of those standard issue Imagine Dragons mega hits, but on a whole was just too much.

‘Loom’ does instantly feel an easier listen which shouldn’t be a surprise, nor should it be a surprise that another huge hit has already been identified with ‘Eyes Closed’ fairing very well on the airwaves.

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Imagine Dragons – ‘Eyes Closed’

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Beyond more of the same however the record just doesn’t hit any different. The group were groundbreaking and have carved out a incredible niche for unnaturally successful pop songs, alas now they feel like reruns of Friends!

We’ll always happily listen to their music, after all we know all the words, we know how the story goes, we feel… comfortable. That said, we also know that there are many more fresh and relevant acts that we could go and check out.

Imagine Dragons have become another band that it’s easy to belittle and poke fun of. They’re a band for people that aren’t “in to” music, but hey at the end of the day I’d take their bank account over mine any day. Equally I’d take their talent with it!

This isn’t a great album, but it’s not a bad one either. It’s not the worst the band have made and it’s not the best…it is just what it is.

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Mt. Onsra

Mt. Onsra

Sacred Time

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Mt. ONSRA – SACRED TIME – ALBUM REVIEW

Fate can be a strange thing! For Simon Allen and Russell Cleave, fate (and a pandemic haircut!) would reunite two old bandmates some 20+ years since they last made noise together.

Mt. Onsra was born, and a remotely recorded debut album emerged as the world remained shut down. Almost immediately though, the duo set about creating an even bigger follow-up, which this time around could (mostly) be made in-person.

That sophomore record is now here! Entitled ‘Sacred Time’, the album bursts into life with epic introduction ‘Emergent’. Having grabbed your attention, the duo ensures that over the following eight songs you remain immersed within their massive sound.

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Mt. Onsra – ‘Emergent’

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From the melodic to the brutal, the expansive and ambitious sound of the album is mesmerising. Each track will take you on a beautiful journey of sonic discovery and with a run time of just over half an hour, you’ll be eager to relive that trip multiple times.

As the duo continue to reconnect and discover where their second journey together is heading, their second record acts as a pertinent marker in time. This is the sound of a band ready to explore the art of the possible and capable of making an indelible mark!

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NOTHING MORE

NOTHING MORE

CARNAL

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NOTHING MORE – CARNAL – ALBUM REVIEW

NOTHING MORE return with their new seventh album, ‘CARNAL’, which follows quickly on from 2022’s ‘SPIRITS’.

There has always been something special about the group, and this collection continues to set them apart from their contemporaries. If for no other reason than for the care and attention to detail that goes into their art which is truly admirable.

From the artwork, to the tracklist and the subtle little touches of magic that exude from each track, NOTHING MORE are a band that takes great pride in what they unleash and rightfully so. Each record thus far has mixed deeply insightful lyrics with an intensely powerful sound, and ‘CARNAL’ very much sees them doing what they do best.

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NOTHING MORE – ‘IF IT DOESN’T HURT’

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Exhibit number one can be the absolutely gargantuan ‘IF IT DOESN’T HURT’, which is as anthemic as it gets. Further evidence can be taken from their carefully crafted collaborations with Eric Vanlerberghe (‘HOUSE OF SAND’), Sinizter (‘STUCK’) and David Draiman (‘ANGEL SONG’), which all work well individually and as part of this record.

But the true proof of their incredible love and passion for what they do comes on the rest of the tracks. This isn’t a case of a big hit, some random features and a load of filler. Every second counts on ‘CARNAL’, every note adds gravity and every lyric means something.

Existing fans will savour every moment of this album, and with some ragers capable of cutting through to the mainstream, this may be the record that opens even more eyes onto the magic of NOTHING MORE!

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The Mysterines

The Mysterines

Afraid of Tomorrows

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THE MYSTERINES – AFRAID OF TOMORROWS – ALBUM REVIEW

The Mysterines made a big impression with their superb debut album ‘Reeling’, which finished second in our Album of the Year list in 2022. Eighteen months of heavy touring later, including a prestigious slot opening for Arctic Monkeys on their stadium tour, and the band have grown their audience exponentially.

Time then to strike while the iron is hot, and release a carbon copy of that first record? Not on your life! In their short career, The Mysterines have already shown a fierce desire to explore their creative capabilities and that has been evident in the progress between breakout EP ‘Take Control’, ‘Reeling’ and now their sophomore record ‘Afraid of Tomorrows’.

Heading out to Los Angeles with revered producer John Congleton, the band have commented that Congleton sold himself by stating his opposition to replicating ‘Reeling’. Eager to push themselves, the band dove into these sessions and ended up with an abundance of songs, with only the most engaging making the cut.

Opening track ‘The Last Dance’ in particular proved a catalyst for what was to come and it’s fitting that the song welcomes listeners to the journey that this album will take them on. The band have always felt like a throwback and the limited amount of pre-release singles has been refreshing. It means when listeners dive into ‘Afraid of Tomorrows’ they are doing so with a great sense of intrigue.

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The Mysterines – ‘The Last Dance’

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It’s also liberating that as the album progresses through the likes of ‘Stray’, ‘Another Another Another’ and ‘Tired Animal’, care has clearly been put into the tracklisting to make this album flow like a singular piece of work and not just a randomly collected group of songs.

That cohesion makes this a truly enjoyable record that epitomises the ambition of these four talented musicians. With singer Lia Metcalfe still holding a hypnotic hold over the listener with her powerful vocal delivery, the music provides the perfect balance and enables the groups sound to expand beyond expectation.

‘Afraid of Tomorrows’ really is quite magnificent and will have fans of the band looking forward to the future and the wonders which this incredible band will create!

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Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi

Forever

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BON JOVI – FOREVER – ALBUM REVIEW

Anyone would love to have had the career that Bon Jovi have had, but their journey through different eras is something future music historians will view with great perplexity. How many times can a band be written off only for them to reinvent themselves and prove all their doubters wrong.

Whether it’s early glam rock Jovi, soft rock Jovi, hard rock Jovi, ballad Jovi or country Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi and his merry men keep moving whereas their contemporaries pack up or stay put. During a career which has turned them into one of the biggest bands of all time, they’ve also become one of the biggest targets of all time!

An American U2 if you will, the group will be the butt of jokes from your mates, but they’ll be the first in line for tickets and screaming the lyrics to ‘Living on a Prayer’ whenever they come to town. Reviews, quite rightfully of late, have also always been quick to lament the efforts of one of the most enduring acts past few decades.

The title of their new album, ‘Forever’, feels like another proclamation that they aren’t going anywhere despite recent vocal issues trending and their latest albums being highly maligned by most commentators.

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Bon Jovi – ‘Legendary’

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The first thing to note about the record is that Mr Bon Jovi himself sounds in fine fettle and as such the many sing-a-long inducing choruses all sound stadium ready. The second thing is that musically this sounds like peak Bon Jovi, as the band almost go back to basics.

Thirdly, it’s worth admiring that all of those genres listed above are present and, to use another tired cliché, the sound of this album could be referred to as career-spanning! This means that there really is something here for fans from all eras of Bon Jovi and that they don’t do any of these eras a disservice with their offerings here.

‘Forever’ could be a much needed career reset once again for a band with an astonishing work-rate. Indeed, you wouldn’t put it past them to simply go on forever after all. This may not be up there with a ‘Slippery When Wet’ or even a ‘Have a Nice Day’ but it’s a damn sight better than their most recent efforts!

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