Stereophonics New Album Preview

Erm… wasn’t it Jordan we saw in the tabloids sporting a T-shirt the other month with the slogan ‘Keep Calm and Carry’ on slapped across her bosoms?

Is there some sort of spiritual connection between herself and Welsh rockers the Stereophonics, is it a bizarre marketing scam Mercury have come up with or is it just pure coincidence?

We hope it’s the latter, as the seventh studio album from the highly acclaimed band has a dignified and self-aware sentiment which reclines steadily back to their grubby angst-ridden roots whilst throwing a cheeky wink in the direction of the fresh movement of pop induced indie. We were all beginning to think we might have had enough of the Stereophonics, maybe they're lovely but, let's face it, their realistically monotonous pace had reached its peak and the bands issuing of their Greatest Hits would be the perfect way to conclude a beautiful career.

Not a chance evidently; they’ve managed to do it again. With their last five consecutive albums all achieving number 1 in the charts, the challenge was on, and it's one they’ve expertly confronted. The Stereophonics possess a stroke of dirty genius they’ve unveiled on this enticing new record and it reeks beautifully of their home-brewed hardened indie.

Their rock ‘n’ roll disregard to what music everyone else is making is the reason behind the Stereophonics unique brand of fun but fuming music. It’s the punchy hooks, dynamic percussion and the voice of frontman Kelly Jones which has put the band on the map, and their new album takes this agitated, upbeat vibe to a new level. The record is full of grunge-infused Summer tracks that'll be a welcome vibe come the release date mid-November.

The majority of us lived our teenage years alongside the soundtrack of the Stereophonics; we were drenched in mud at festivals, having spilt the last dregs of our cider, we looked up into the sky as it cracked open with torrential rain and then we looked around to our mates and laughed through what should be a really shitty time, purely because we didn’t know what else to do. The new tracks such as the aggressive ‘Beerbottle’ drag you through the moments of a Friday night brawl, whereas others take you back to somewhere more relaxed, where you can catch up with old friends.

The production on ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ is the biggest they’ve ever utilised. Booming, clear and most importantly exciting. They’ve introduced new slivers of synths to the old moments of downbeat rock and come out with an album fuelled with enthusiasm and individualism. It's going to be hard not to love this.

Words by Anna Meacham