The words ‘brutal,’ ‘ferocious’ and ‘uncompromising,’ when used in the context of a music review often relate to the genres of ‘hardcore’ and ‘metal.’ Future Of The Left’s debut album is neither. To simply file their music under any particular reference would prove futile. To simply describe their music in three ‘broad brush’ words would be grossly inadequate and lazy. However, whilst we await the creation of superlatives to aptly describe this band / album, (the English language currently extends to approximately only 988,968 words) we will make do with those quoted.
With Andrew Falkous and Jack Egglestone, both formerly of mclusky, and Kelson Mathias, formerly Jacrew making up the triumvirate, you know what to expect: simple, discordant underlying riffs; frenetic, pounding drums; heavy, fuzzy bass; manic, shouted choruses and just the best song titles you’re likely to come across! (‘The Lord Hates A Coward’ – which includes the repeated line, ‘…violence solved everything!’ – ‘Fuck The Countryside Alliance’; ‘Real Men Hunt In Packs’)
Keyboards are utilised for the first time by Falkous on several tracks, which adds more depth to the sound. However, with the exception of album-closer ‘The Contrarium’ which is a slower piano-led piece, none of the urgency and energy is lost.
Definitely one of the albums of the year.