Ash “Race The Night”
Ash, the enduring stalwarts of the indie rock scene, have returned with Race The Night, an album that finds the band embracing their 90s roots while pushing their sonic boundaries into 2023. The Northern Irish trio, consisting of Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, and Rick McMurray, have returned to form and crafted a collection of songs that blend their trademark infectious indie rock with a newfound sense of maturity and introspection.
The album kicks off with the title track, a high-octane opener that immediately sets the tone for the album. Wheeler’s vocals cut through the swirling guitars and propulsive drums, grabbing the listener’s attention from the get-go. The album effortlessly transitions between moments of frenetic energy, as seen in tracks like Braindead, and introspective, melancholic introspections in songs like Crashed Out Wasted.
Musically, Race The Night is a testament to Ash’s evolution. The band experiments with textures and tones, adding layers of synthesizers and electronic elements that expand their sonic palette, whilst still being a guitar driven album. This experimentation is evident in the dreamy, atmospheric quality of tracks like Oslo, featuring Demira, where the band explores a more ethereal sound without losing their edge.
Lyrically, the band delve into themes of love and loss with a vulnerability that feels both genuine and relatable. Wheeler’s lyrics, poetic yet grounded, add depth to the tracks.
The production on the album is crisp and polished, with Wheeler self-producing, allowing every instrument to shine. The guitar work, a trademark of Ash’s sound, is as sharp and infectious as ever, while the rhythm section provides a solid foundation, driving the songs forward with precision and finesse.
Fans of their early albums will not be disappointed, even though they have expanded their sound to include electronic elements. The band return to their harder and heavier sound, reminiscent of their Meltdown album from 2004, on tracks like Braindead and Like A God. Another track on the heavier side, Double Dare, tilts its hat to the track Numbskull from the underrated with Nu-clear Sounds, with vinyl scratching inserted throughout the song.
Race The Night is an album that feels both familiar and fresh, a testament to Ash’s ability to evolve while staying true to their essence. It captures the band’s spirit, combining youthful exuberance with the wisdom of experience.
Album Review By Darren Leach
