To suggest that Manic Street Preachers have been hindered by the strength of their own image – as angry young men delivering a message, and their unmatched ability to blend politics with pop for chart success – may be an exaggeration. However, the opening of their fifteenth album, ‘Critical Thinking’, does seem to mislead listeners about the overall direction of the trio’s latest work. On the title track, Nicky Wire toes the line between sarcasm and menace as he enumerates a series of clichés over a Franz Ferdinand-style rhythm, evoking an indie sleaze reminiscent of Black Mirror. Yet, despite the relevance of Wire’s inquiry into the disappearance of the titular skill, the album’s atmosphere doesn't reach its peak until the delightfully quirky closing track ‘One Man Militia’ emerges, with its catchy chorus providing a moment of exuberance alongside reflective snippets (“Even our dreams are intellectual,” begins the chorus).
In between these two standout tracks, several songs hover around a zone of familiarity. Notably, ‘My Brave Friend’ and ‘People Ruin Paintings’ utilize well-worn chord progressions, while ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ recalls the nostalgic storytelling of ‘90s Britpop in its arrangement, and ‘Decline & Fall’ mirrors the structure of mid-era Pulp. This isn't to say that any of this is negative; in fact, it's a showcase of quintessential pop/rock songwriting. However, when presented with such a degree of anticipation (further amplified by the band’s previous work), it comes off as somewhat predictable. It’s akin to enjoying a charming model railway journey after having been promised a thrilling rollercoaster ride.
A compilation of singer-songwriter music with dance influences, featuring an underlying tension that is hard to grasp.
Swedish singer-songwriter Julia Logan contemplates her heartfelt, enchanting, and nostalgic second album 'Faraway Nearby,' a work that encapsulates the tension of distance, both tangible and emotional, during a period of uncertainty.
The Ipswich multi-venue event for this year is scheduled for the 13th and 14th of June.
This marks the second collaboration between the duo on a record, after their 2016 song 'Beautiful People'.
A warm, sunlit tribute to the small joys of life, Ziggy Alberts' "I'm With You" is a whimsical, uplifting folk-pop track brimming with warmth and affection, solidifying the Australian singer/songwriter's position as a distinctive and genuine presence in the current music scene.
When presented with such a grand display, it seems secure.