A decade-and-a-half ago, when indie-rock was breaking out of everywhere, northern England’s The Futureheads gave it a decidedly working class edge, with songs about jobs such as single “First Day”. Like their British peers, they never hit the biggest time in America, and the next decade wasn’t as kind. For The Futureheads, they had to break-up as singer/guitarist Barry Hyde dealt with mental issues (after an odd a-cappella album, Rant). But now they have returned, bringing indie-rock back to the people with Powers.
There’s a pressure on Powers, from opener “Jekyll” to ominous closer “Mortals”, but there is also particular edge in Hyde’s lyrics on songs like “Electric Shock”, “Headcase”, and “Listen, Little Man!” (the last of which sounds like it’s about Trump, at least to American ears, but has to do with controversial therapist Wilhelm Reich). It’s less of a party than prior Futureheads releases (though there is a song about going out, “Good Night Out”), but it’s less of a party time.
One of those bands from the last decade that you liked, and wondered what had happened to, The Futureheads return from then to now is certainly welcome.
