Album Review: The Slow Readers Club - ‘Out Of A Dream’
The Slow Readers Club haven't just raised the bar with their seventh studio album - they've set it higher than ever.
When it comes to DIY musicians, The Slow Readers Club are among the best. Since forming in 2009, the Manchester band have risen from small venues to selling out shows and securing main stage slots at major festivals. With a devoted fanbase across the UK and Europe, they’ve seen their last four studio albums break into the UK album charts, with ‘The Joy of the Return’ reaching an impressive #9. Now, just over two years since their last release, the four-piece return with ‘Out Of A Dream.’
The album's opening track and lead single, ‘Technofear’, offered the first glimpse of what was to come. Written about the struggle to maintain a firm grasp on reality in a world where much of our lives are spent online, it explores the dizzying and often overwhelming nature of social media, while perfectly embodying the signature sound The Slow Readers Club have honed over the years - a seamless blend of pulsating electro and dynamic guitar-driven music. Bursting with energy, the anthemic ‘Animals’ follows. The perfect choice for a single, ‘Animals’ delivers an irresistibly catchy chorus filled with longing for togetherness and sanctuary - one that’s destined to be sung back to the band by massive crowds.
‘Little White Lies’ slows the tempo down, starting with a catchy synth pattern, but offering a calmer feel compared to the previous tracks. With stunning guitar work from Kurtis Starkie and softer vocals from frontman Aaron Starkie, it showcases a more reflective side of the band. The pace doesn’t stay slow for long though, as ‘Dear Silence’ quickly ramps up the energy with a powerful, pummelling beat from David Whitworth, bringing the intensity back to full force, before dropping it once again for the spellbinding ‘This Is I Am’.
Hauntingly beautiful from the outset, ‘Dear Silence’ sees Aaron’s powerful vocals paired with sombre guitar tones. As the track unfolds, its steady beat intensifies, gradually building to a commanding chorus, before ultimately erupting as the instrumentation converges for a powerful, emotive climax. The band’s latest single, ‘Boy So Blue’, is another standout track that highlights their ability to shift pace, creating more introspective, layered pieces alongside their trademark anthems.
Balancing the desire for freedom with the weight of the world’s pressures, the fast and punchy ‘Pirouette’ has already become a live favourite - and it’s easy to see why. ‘Puppets’ follows with a more subdued yet impactful approach. Opening with gentle synths, the politically charged track confronts false promises - “we would have been anything, but the world revolves around greed again.” Aaron’s vocals carry a deep sense of emotion and resignation, which becomes even more palpable toward the end as it weaves through Kurtis’s heavy, driving guitar work.
Fuelled by an infectious bassline from James Ryan, the penultimate track, ‘Loved You Then’, stands out as one of the album’s most pop-driven moments, with undeniable potential as a future single. The album concludes with the introspective ballad, ‘Our Song Is Sung’, offering a powerful and emotional finale. With much simpler, stripped-back instrumentation compared to the rest of the album, the track highlights the emotional depth of Aaron's vocals. Though it starts minimal, the song evolves, with its hopeful lyrics swelling alongside crashing guitars and drums, before fading out gently for a soft conclusion.
Marking a triumphant new chapter in The Slow Readers Club's journey, ‘Out Of A Dream’ captures all the elements fans adore while elevating their sound to thrilling new heights. A band whose music speaks to both the heart and mind, they've undeniably crafted an album that solidifies their ability to create songs that resonate deeply, whether on record or in the electrifying atmosphere of their live shows.
Words by Laura Dean
