REVIEW: In a bleak modern world, the new Slow Readers Club album is a bright, powerful & punchy highlight
Since they made their debut in 2011 with the release of their self-titled debut album, The Slow Readers Club (TSRC) have grown year by year, building a rock solid fan base and playing to sold-out headline gigs. They’ve also performed as the guests of the likes of the Pixies, Catfish and The Bottlemen and James, as well as festival appearances round the world.
“Knowledge Freedom Power” is their sixth studio album and is produced by Joe Cross (Courteeners). It’s out on 24 February 2023 and is the follow up to their 2020 Top 10 album “The Joy of the Return” (LiveWire review 5/5) and the 2020 self-released lockdown album “91 days in isolation” (LiveWire review 9.5/10).
Whereas “91 days in Isolation” was a product of the pandemic and lockdown, “Knowledge Freedom Power” is a much more of a synth-rock rallying cry. A call for social freedom and a positive future. Singer Aaron Starkie notes that “The world had got so bleak it felt a little indulgent to paint apocalyptic pictures when they were out in the real world. I thought people would probably want to hear more uplifting things, it was my intention to be much more positive. There’s still a lot of melodrama in there and it’s still dystopian in places but there’s more positive shades in this record.”
Aaron adds, “Growing up as a council estate kid in Manchester I was very conscious of having a limited horizon and I guess I had a chip on my shoulder and something to prove. It’s that background that inspired both our band name and the album’s title track ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’. It is an exercise in positive sloganeering, a mantra for education as a means of a way out from social and psychological confinement.”
Fans of the Slow Readers Club will be reassured that the new album, remains true to their style and sound, and insightful lyrics, but adds some new elements that add to their overall sound.
The opening track Modernise is classic Slow Readers Club and would not be out of place on the excellent “The Joy of the Return”. It’s loud and bright and grabs your attention right from the off, with a FUZZY synth bass line underpinning the delightful and haunting vocals from Aaron it’s a great reminder of what the band can do.
Sacred Song is a great example of the new album’s optimism and brightness with lyrics like “each day a bright new start”, with a melody that just makes you want to smile, and move along to the beat and an uplifting chorus.
Next up is Lay Your Troubles on Me, a slower, more thoughtful track about sticking together in a broken word, of supporting others, and sharing a load and experience. As the track develops, it builds in intensity, creating a sense of engagement and optimism, a wonderfully positive track.
The title track of the album Knowledge Freedom Power was a ‘grower’ for me (if you know what I mean?) It’s fast pace and almost chanted chorus of the three words felt somewhat cliched initially, but as I listened to it more and more, it grew and grew on me. Just one of those moments you know where repeat was the best option (for me). I realised that this one is definitely destined to be a powerful and punchy live track, like a rallying cry to the masses. It’s positivity and sense of social unity stands out powerfully in the middle of the album. You can almost see the arms punching the air as the crowd sing along to the chorus !
But alongside this new optimism for the future, there remains some wonderful examples of their take on the darkness around us that still looms large. This is most notable in the feeling of lack of individual power with lyrics such as “I guess you have to laugh it falls away so fast. I cheated all I can, no win no win” in the excellent Seconds Out, perhaps my favourite track on the album, or heading back to the opening track, in the lament at the inevitable march of automation over humanity in Modernise.
What works so well on this album is the juxtaposition of hope, and belief in a positive inclusive and bright future for humankind, but at the same time managing to address the often harsh reality of the modern world around us, with it’s inequality, both social and power inequality, and what feels like a slide into powerlessness and desperation.
The album ends with No You Never which has a wonderful lamentable feel to it with dark lyrics such as “each day just like the one before, locked down wake up and climb the walls. See all the bridges burning and so the world keeps turning”. For me, The Slow Readers Club saved the best track to the end, and I love an album that ends on a high point.
I’ve really enjoyed this one, and have put my order in for a limited edition vinyl to add to my personal collection. The album will be popular with existing fans and demonstrates the power and strength of their sound, but will also appeal to new listeners too. An incredible, balanced album that links together so effectively from start to finish, and a worthy winner of a great 9.5 from LiveWire.
“Knowledge Freedom Power” is out on 24 February and is available to pre-order HERE. Vinyl lovers have the option of standard (blue vinyl version), LE flipped (transparent yellow vinyl) or Blacked Out (gold vinyl) editions.
“Knowledge Freedom Power” Tracklist
1. Modernise
2. Afterlife
3. Sacred Song
4. Lay Your Troubles On Me
5. How Could You Know?
6. Knowledge Freedom Power
7. What Might Have Been
8. Seconds Out
9. Forget About Me
10. No You Never
(c) Trust a Fox Photography
The Slow Readers Club recently announced details of their 2023 headline tour, which has already sold-out its homecoming show at Manchester’s Albert Hall. Tour tickets are available HERE.
March 2023 UK Tour Dates
2nd - Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow Library
4th - Leeds, University Stylus
6th - Glasgow, SWG3
7th - Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
9th - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
10th - Birmingham, O2 Academy 2
11th - Bristol, Thekla
13th - Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
14th - London, Lafayette
17th - Manchester, Albert Hall (Sold Out)
