Album Review: Courteeners - 'Pink Cactus Cafe'
Courteeners latest entry see’s them weave through familiar themes of love and adulthood, attacking it with a fresh take on modernism both musically and visually.
It's easy to forget that this is the band’s first new material since 2020, especially considering the flurry of activity surrounding their recent Heaton Park shows, and the successful re-release of their debut album, "St Jude." However, this time away seems to have allowed the band to reflect and evolve, resulting in a sound that is refreshingly contemporary while retaining the heartfelt sincerity that has always defined Courteeners. Visually, the album artwork and music videos display a modern aesthetic that is vibrant and engaging, mirroring the album's themes of rejuvenation and identity. The visuals complement the music beautifully, creating a cohesive experience that enhances the listener's connection to the narratives being explored.
The band's confidence in what they do is ever present on the album opener “Sweet Surrender” featuring the rapidly rising talent in Brooke Combe. A Stone Roses-esque baseline layering a jangly acoustic that is matched with a snarling lyric opener of “Another Rottweiler in the bar, says can she even play guitar?” shows where the band are at right now, oozing confidence. And Liam Fray’s confidence in his lyricism is showered all over the record, from the classic tongue in cheek we’ve come to expect from Liam in the track ‘First Name Terms’:
“Lie back and think of England
But when does England ever think of you?”
To the more informative and direct approach in ‘Love You Any Less’:
“So you’re scrolling through your chat and you wonder what’s that?
It’s a brand new fella in her WhatsApp profile picture
I bet he’s lovely to her mum, I bet she calls him son
Both feet under the table but are you willing and able?”
When discussing the new album, Liam Fray said:
"The last record came out on the cusp of lockdown so straight away I went into panic (writing) mode...on my own but with no real plan. I wasn't sure if it was going to be a side project, Courteeners, (or a) solo project. Just songs. Everything was up (in) the air. So it wasn't necessarily a Courteeners SOUND... I started reaching out on my Indie Rolodex as a bit of fun really, and it's ended up being the most collaborative and rewarding thing we've ever done. It's a real collage of an album, we threw everything into the melting pot. Cam & Cones have brought their magic to these songs, along with... to name a few.... DMAs, Charlie from Blossoms, Theo from Hurts, James Skelly and his percussion genius of a brother - lan, and two of the best vocalists out there in Brooke Combe and Pixey. It's the most collaborative thing we've ever done and we couldn't be happier. Four and half years in the making, we genuinely believe it's the best set of songs we've released into the world since St. Jude… we hope you buzz off them as much as we do”
You can hear the influence of these collaborations within each track which makes the album unique. "The Beginning of the End," featuring the talented DMA's, perfectly encapsulates this evolution. The song introduces listeners to a crisp, unique modern sound that pulses with energy while maintaining the gritty, anthemic quality reminiscent of Oasis. DMA's contribution infuses the track with their signature attitude, creating a synergy that feels both familiar and new, with lyrical repetition that is sure to be an earworm to Courteeners fans. And DMA’s are supporting Courteeners on their upcoming tour, so don’t be surprised to see both bands grace the stage to perform this track together in the very near future.
Recent single, and title track ‘Pink Cactus Cafe’ is sure to go down as a Courteeners classic. The song is dominated by a driven acoustic guitar, and a hooky joyous whistle that perfectly encapsulates the sound and the bittersweet emotions in which the album revolves around. Lyrically, the song acts as a poignant manifesto of nostalgia. The protagonist's journey through the mundane landscape of the present day reflects a universal experience — the desire to break free from the shackles of monotony and rediscover the vibrancy of life's earlier moments, driven with the hooky lyric of
“Lately I’ve been running out of things to do”
This exploration of sentimentality is enhanced by the Courteeners' signature lyrical style, which effortlessly blends observational wit with heartfelt sincerity. Courteeners have honed their sound over the years, and ‘Pink Cactus Cafe’ showcases their growth and maturation as artists. It’s an album that tackles daily life with an approach of wonder, and bemusement.
Courteeners set off on their latest tour on the 14th November in Glasgow, and ending on the 23rd November in Birmingham. This is a tour that is sure to not be missed.
Words by Doug Dewdney
