Putting Nottingham on the nation's musical map in the way the city has long deserved, 'Drive To Goldenhammer' - the debut full-length album from local quartet Divorce - is a journey that extends far beyond its title. Existing at the intersection of nostalgia and expectation, reality and fiction, its 12 tracks reflect a band that refuses, or perhaps cannot, be confined to a specific sound or place. Instead, they prefer to make transatlantic stops in contemporary folk (as seen in the nostalgic fiddle of opener ‘Antarctica’ and ‘Old Broken String’); jagged alt-pop (notably in the St Vincent-inspired ‘Where Do You Go’); uplifting heartland rock (evident in the crescendoing outro of ‘Lord’ or the exuberant vibe of ‘All My Freaks’); and even unpredictable electronics (highlighted by the unexpected gem ‘Pill’). The cornerstone of this diverse approach is the undeniable warmth that infuses each moment; whether co-songwriters and co-vocalists Tiger Cohen-Towell and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow focus their lyrical attention on queer identity or the music industry’s egos, they do so with both humor and sincerity, portraying their native East Midlands in rich, sun-drenched harmonies. Here, the more pronounced country influences of the band's two earlier EPs (2022’s ‘Get Mean’ and 2023’s ‘Heady Metal’) serve merely as a starting point for their broader ambitions, resulting in a dynamic, unpredictable listen that subtly yet skillfully challenges anyone who thinks they already understand what Divorce represents.
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An engaging and unpredictable experience that subtly yet skillfully counters those who believe they understand what Divorce is truly about.