A striking comeback that highlights their development...
21 · 02 · 2025
In the late 2010s, The Murder Capital, alongside Fontaines D.C., emerged as leading figures of a new wave of Irish post-punk bands. However, the Dublin quintet did not want their sound to be confined by this label. They audaciously transformed their style in 2023 with ‘Gigi’s Recovery,’ offering a somber and reflective glimpse into self-discovery and healing.
With their third album ‘Blindness,’ they introduce a completely new approach. The tracks possess a dark allure: urgent, raw, and refreshingly direct. The album was recorded with John Congleton in Los Angeles, with the Grammy-winning producer sparking a new methodology compared to their intricately crafted previous work. They were urged to create songs rapidly during intense, fast-paced recording sessions, moving away from layering.
The album thus has a rough charm to it. The tracks are broad yet maintain an intimate appeal. The opener ‘Moonshot’ decisively sets the tone—guitars wail alongside frenetic drums and Jimmy McGovern’s rapid-fire vocal performance, providing an engaging start.
‘Words Lost Meaning’ then slows the pace, delivering a gritty grunge sound alongside the singer’s cynical lyrics (“Oh, I never need you to say, ‘I love you’/ The words lost meaning,” he bitterly repeats in the chorus). The Murder Capital then ramps up the tempo again with the explosive lead single ‘Can’t Pretend To Know,’ which creates a captivating wall of discordant noise.
However, one track stands out prominently: ‘The Fall.’ The seventh song is an exhilarating highlight that channels a distinct ‘90s alt-rock essence. A piercing guitar riff, driving percussion, and a menacing chorus (“I can’t be told, I can’t be dressed / I can’t be held, I can’t be fed / I can’t be whipped”) combine in thrilling chaos. ‘The Death of a Giant’ follows in a similar fashion, a tribute to Shane McGowan powered by another compelling guitar riff.
Nonetheless, The Murder Capital demonstrates their ability to vary their sound. ‘Born Into The Flight’ impresses with its versatility and unsettling atmosphere, while the hypnotic ‘Swallow’ adds subtle hints of psychedelia. Overall, ‘Blindness’ reinvents The Murder Capital’s sound once again, with a focus on urgency and energy, resulting in an infectious listening experience. The band continues to prove they are much more than the post-punk label assigned to them years ago.
8/10
Words: Matthew McLister
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In the late 2010s, The Murder Capital, alongside Fontaines D.C., emerged as the representative figures of a new wave of Irish post-punk bands. However,