Albums: Razorlight Planet Nowhere

Razorlight Planet Nowhere

Zombie Love; U Can Call Me; Taylor Swift = US Soft Propaganda; Dirty Luck; Scared of Nothing; F.O.B.F; Empire Service; Cyclops; Cool People; April Ends

Razorlight fully reformed in August 2021. While Johnny Borrell had reignited the band for 2018's Olympus Sleeping, he was the sole founding member to work on the record, which many stated managed somewhat to reignite their mid-noughties glory. However, now that the full band is back together, they are gearing up for their first body of new work as the OGs in 16 years. Having all enjoyed various degrees of success in the aftermath of the often divisive Razorlight, can they recapture their chart-topping appeal?

While Planet Nowhere does not aim to replicate the sound of their first three albums, it does bear a striking resemblance to Razorlight. Rather than simply spending their time trying to emulate what drove them to success the first time around, it is clear that they have instead concentrated their efforts on crafting an album that is thematically and sonically related to them now.

At times bolshier and bolder than their radio-driven early sound, Planet Nowhere is an eclectic, more punk-leaning take on indie pop than they have previously explored. While Taylor Swift = US Soft Propaganda will no doubt become something of a talking point and streaming high point among curious Swifties, with much debate sparked in the aftermath, it is far from the most interesting cut on the record.

While U Can Call Me is easily the album's lowlight, the highlights land in the shape of Cyclops and Empire Service. Both different from each other but designed to make your feet move and get those cogs turning in your mind.

Razorlight's work on Planet Nowhere. That can be heard on the record. But by bravely moving the boundaries to reflect their growth individually, Razorlight will evade the criticism that hounded them early in their career.