Album Review: Lonely The Brave ‘Things Will Matter’

UK alt-rockers Lonely The Brave are back with a bang thanks to their sophomore album ‘Things Will Matter’. Known for their dynamic and intelligent approach to aggressive punk music, the Cambridge outfit’s second full-length offering builds on their current sound whilst progressing their much loved approachable, yet complex song writing style.

‘Things Will Matter’ starts with a curveball with Wait in the Car, an ambient and experimental soundscape with hardly any vocals or drums. It’s a clever and interesting start to the album and creates a sense of mystery for the listener for what is to come.

Black Mire returns the album to a more relatable song format and is the lead single for ‘Things Will Matter’. You can really appreciate the musicianship of Lonely The Brave from this track alone. The instruments are all balanced perfectly together and whilst there is nothing overly complicated about the separate parts, combined they can be truly appreciated.

“It’s clear Lonely The Brave know the secrets to a killer single and most definitely write with audiences in mind.”

What If You Fall In starts with a quirky, bouncy drum track and a clever lead guitar riff that will surely get heads bopping straight away. It’s clear from this track Lonely The Brave are influenced heavily by the alt-rock signature quiet/loud dynamic technique. The verses are soft and atmospheric in nature with distant, chiming guitars creating a distinctive space in the music. Contrastingly the chorus sees an impressive moving and emotional vocal melody accompanied by a thumping rhythm section and uplifting guitar track.

Second single Radar and Strange Like I act as a refreshing break from the dynamic and complex vibes of ‘Things Will Matter’ and strip the band back to its punk roots. Radar starts all guns blazing with some satisfyingly filthy grunge guitars reminiscent of an old Mudhoney record. The drumming is relentless and uncompromising and will surely agitate moshpits at the live shows.

Strange Like I seems like it was written to release the bands pent up energy in the band room. It’s short, fast and incredibly loud with a simple and addictive song structure and relatable lyrical subject. This track’s influences definitely reside strongly in pop punk with catchy vocal melodies and easy sing-a-longs such as the repeat of the main hook “You’re quite strange like I”.

Diamond Days and Tank Wave see Lonely The Brave at their most delicate. Both songs a brooding and dark tracks with mellow vibes that, similar to Radar and Strange Like I, provide a distinct difference in theme and vibe to the album. Vocalist David Jakes seems to be holding back from his usual no holds barred style of vocals, rather focusing on subtlety and a gentler approach.

“Rattlesnakes reiterates the band’s most defining feature, their ability to create a moving,  emotional and interesting listening experience with relatively simple musical elements.”

Latest single Rattlesnakes is certainly one of the highlights of ‘Things Will Matter’. The song starts with an incredibly catchy U2-esque guitar track before whole band enters in what can only be described as a stadium-ready anthem. The crashing drums create a planetary feel to this rock banger whilst Jakes’ soaring, anthemic vocals make even the most docile fans scream along at the top of their lungs. Rattlesnakes reiterates the band’s most defining feature, their ability to create such a moving and emotional and interesting listening experience with relatively simple musical elements.

It’s hard to pigeon hole this album or even this band into one style or genre, they’re able to effortlessly blend contrasting musical elements to create a unique listening experience. Songs are both uplifting and inspiring whilst also dark and mysterious at the same time, instrumentals are simple while still interesting, and vocals are aggressive whilst not losing any delicate emotion. Judging by the broad dynamic range of this album it seems any responsibilities regarding pre-conceived notions of “genre” or a certain “sound” are firmly suppressed by the Lonely The Brave’s desire to simply create a great tune.