Loathe “A Stranger To You”

2026 is the year of Loathe! Australia played witness to what we can expect Liverpool shapeshifters Loathe with the release of A Stranger To You on their recent tour back in May. Since then the anticipation and the expectation has been building. Does it live up to that hype? It’s a resounding fuck yeah it does! Just watch the accolades come for what will go down as one of 2026’s best heavy releases. Loathe are as equally fearless, adventurous and unpredictable on A Stranger To You and this is not just a follow up but a full-scale reinvention of epic proportions. A grand plan that has pushed this band in to elite territory that has come off with brilliant results.

Loathe have set their own rules this time round… no formula, no blueprint, no chasing trends or replicating what others are doing or have done. Boldly pushing forward upping the ante with what was set on their previous effort I Let It In And It Took Everything sees this band trusting their instincts to make this record feel more fluid and cinematic drifting from synth heavy textures to more bombastic grooves. The psychedelic edges and the phantasmagoria of sounds is equally captivating. There’s nothing repetitive about this album constantly shifting from one song to the next but never loses its emotional heartbeat.

Opening track Entrance is like the lull before the storm with contemplative spoken word by close friend and collaborator bucki sugar giving the subtle hint that one’s own expectations will be challenged channelling a seismic shift on Block Of Flats. Strap yourself in because this is one wild ride. Cue the guitars, cue the guest cameo from Static Dress front man Oli Appleyard who takes this to another level.

The unpredictability of what comes next heightens the experiences from the alt-rock warmth of Fortress Down to the rough and tumble of Gemini this album really does move with purpose. Nothing Like The Knife offers a moment to reset before the pulsating “dancefloor” rhythms of Harder To Pretend take over and you can just picture the band saying “you didn’t see that coming?”

Revenant is the stake in ground and flying the flag moment where their mission statement “Loathe As One” rings true. Teaming up with NOWHERE2RUN/ Code Orange’s Jami Morgan and Eric “Shade” Balderose this song is an absolute beast, it’s heavy, it’s chaotic unleashing fury with both barrels. The subtle contrast with The Way It Breaks shows that it doesn’t have to be heavy like a sledgehammer. The dreamlike shoegaze vibe adds a subtle contrast leaning into their emotional side adding another twist in the journey. It’s similar with the acoustic ballad ‘The Ladder’ which shows another more vulnerable side to the band which seems perfectly placed.

For me, it all comes together brilliantly from here with the last couple of tracks being moments of validation, triumph and conviction to stay to true to what they set out doing. Loathe have that moment of triumph on Gifted Every Strength where they have reached the peak and No Stranger To You is that well-earned finale with a nod and a wink to I Let It In And It Took Everything (2020) but a steadfast view on the future.

Loathe have not only pushed the boundaries but pushed themselves to create something quite remarkable setting an extraordinary high benchmark for future heavy releases. The hype is real, this is the album to be listening to. Loathe as one!

Album Review By Rob Lyon

A STRANGER TO YOU – OUT JULY 17
https://astrangertoyou.com/