WORDS RYAN WOODFORD
RAZORLIGHT
PLANET NOWHERE
Release date:
Friday, October 25th 2024
Razorlight are back with new album ‘Planet Nowhere’, which’ll be the band’s fifth studio album. Formed back in 2002 and at the forefront of the indie revival, the London based band will be looking to take it up a gear with this release, having had three top 5 albums, their last studio album ‘Olympus Sleeping’ recieved fairly mixed reviews. Over the years, the bands line up has chopped and changed, the current line up is a reunion from the second and third album and consists of Johnny Borrell on lead vocals and guitars, Björn Ågren on guitar, bassist Carl Delemo and drummer Andy Burrows.
The band’s opening track and third single ‘Zombie Love’ starts the album in a rather upbeat, fun and positive manner. With some 80’s inspired keys running throughout, accompanied by some rather lovely guitar work and vocals, as Johnny sings “you’re not the only big girl I had to call time on, but your the only love I get high on!”.
We continue with second track ‘U Can Call Me’ which starts off with a cool bass line and drum combo, the hip bass line continues throughout this song with thanks to Carl Delemo. This song does have a bizarre chorus with Johnny Borrell disregarding his love for class ‘A’ drugs as he sings “you can call me, anytime you like, but don’t come running because I hate cocaine!”
Taylor Swift = US Soft Propaganda is the third track on the album and also the shortest, Johnny Borrell opens with a quirky line “I tell ya man, you keep on bitchin, we know when the poison is right”. There are some enjoyable moments of keyboard and percussion throughout as it progresses through. Not sure on the Swifty link here!
The fourth and fifth tracks are probably my favourite moments on the album with tracks ‘Dirty Luck’ and first single ‘Scared of Nothing’.
“Dirty Luck” has this cute, stumbling bass line accompanied by some gentle bass and electric guitar parts with Johnny Borrell’s echoing vocals as he sings “you don’t have to say you love me, I’m just hoping that you care”.
‘Scared of nothing’ is a true indie rock moment, it has some rocky guitar parts and some of Andy Burrows steady drumming, it has a Paolo Nutini vibe which I like to hear. Johnny Borrell sings and claims “I, I, I’m scared of nothing, I’m scared of nothing”. The song concludes with Johnny shouting “f**k it up!” as the band really let go with a wicked outro, all playing in unison.
‘Cyclops’ takes this album on an unexpected diversion with a kind of softer side, also as Johnny Borrell vocals have an exquisite reverb effect. It has this light progressive skip from one note to the next. It’s definitely a poppier side of the album, finishing with a dainty guitar outro.
Penultimate track ‘Cool People’ starts with opening lyrics “who writes this s**t? There’s no obligation! Who likes this s**t? Out of desperation!” A rather sinister statement from the Razorlight frontman. Three quarters of the way through the song, there is time for a funky keyboard breakdown as Johnny sings “We hate those phoney motherf**kers, can’t you f**king understand?”. This is another solid indie delivery from the band.
I will admit I haven’t the biggest Razorlight fan over the years, however this album has been an enjoyable listen, I’ve admired Johnny Borrell’s funny, whitty lyrics and vocal delivery, also accompanied by the bands talented musical backing.
Give the album a whirl and enjoy Razorlight, again!
7.5/10
Tracks To Listen To
Dirty Luck
Scared of Nothing
Cyclops
TRACK LISTING
1/ Zombie Love
2/ U Can Call Me
3/ Taylor Swift = US Soft Propaganda
4/ Dirty Luck
5/ Scared of Nothing
6/ F.O.B.F.
7/ Empire Service
8/ Cyclops
9/ Cool People
10/ April Ends
TOUR DATES
OCTOBER – RECORD STORE TOUR
25th – London, Rough Trade East (7pm – SOLD OUT)
26th – Leamington Spa, Head Records (1pm – SOLD OUT)
26th – Birmingham, hmv Vault (5pm)
27th – Bristol, Rough Trade (7pm – SOLD OUT)
29th – Bury, Wax and Beans (1pm – SOLD OUT)
29th – Manchester, hmv (5pm)
30th – Liverpool, Jacaranda (7pm – SOLD OUT)
31st – Newcastle, Beyond Vinyl (7pm)
OCTOBER – UNDERPLAY TOUR
18th – Birmingham, Castle & Falcon (SOLD OUT)
19th – Edinburgh, Mash House (SOLD OUT)
20th – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club (SOLD OUT)
21st – Manchester, Band on the Wall (SOLD OUT)
22nd – Brighton, Komedia (SOLD OUT)
24th – Bristol, Strange Brew (SOLD OUT)
NOVEMBER
21st – London, O2 Academy Brixton (SOLD OUT – with special guests Mystery Jets)
MAY 2025
31st – Leeds, Temple Newsam Park (JUST ADDED with Kaiser Chiefs)
FOLLOW RAZORLIGHT
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
