The Wildhearts – 21st Century Love Songs
Release Date: 3rd September 2021
Label: Graphite Records
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Hard Rock, Pop Rock, Classic Rock.
FFO: Eureka Machines, Terrorvision, Massive Wagons.
Review By: Paul Cairney
As always, I must preface this review with the fact that The Wildhearts are, by a long way, my favourite band. Nobody else comes close. Yes, a few bands have tickled my favourite funny-bone over the years, I love Iron Maiden and Tool are also a massive favourite. However, I have lost count of the amount of times I have seen the boys live, I was a gibbering wreck when I met them a couple of years ago getting my (2nd) copy of Renaissance Men signed by the band in Glasgow’s Fopp record store. So, as Bossman Dave will confirm, I was badgering him to get this album for a review.
However, it was not always for the reasons people may think. Earlier this year, The Wildhearts performed an online, ‘live’ concert, (which was superb), and as a bonus, we were treated to a song from the new album, 21st Century Love Songs. The song was Splitter and I must admit that I was a little bit underwhelmed. It didn’t grab me in the manner I would have liked. So, I was a little apprehensive to say the least.
This apprehension was misplaced!
21st Century Love Songs is an album full of traditional Wildhearts hooks, riffs, glorious harmonies and all round greatness. My joy is absolutely palpable. The opening title track welcomes you like an old friend, straight up Wildhearts, it will have you singing along for weeks.
Remember These Days is the first track that sets its stall out as ‘best’ track on the album. A trip down memory lane, namechecking SLF’s Jake, it, yet again has harmonies that don’t stop. Current single, Sleepaway, is another track screaming to be your favourite. With its 18 rated, not for the squeamish, accompanying video available below, it is a riff laden, catchy as Covid, hook laden behemoth of a song.
Directions thunders along with apparent careless abandon, with an almost slayer-esque hook, it demonstrates the heavier side of the band, something that has allowed them to have very successful appearances at the Bloodstock Festival in recent years.
Final track vying for the best track of the album is the closer, My Head Wants Me Dead. The band, and in particular Ginger Wildheart, are not ones to skirt around the subject of Mental Health. Similar in tone to Ginger’s solo album, Headzapoppin, it demonstrates the poppier side of the band and if the world was fair, it would be a massive hit, propelling The Wildhearts to the success they so deserve, highlighting Mental Health in the process.
Alas, the world is not fair. So why not make it a little bit better for yourself by purchasing a copy of 21st Century Love Songs, improving your life in the process.
The Wildhearts are my favourite band, however I try to review their albums in a fair and balanced way, and so referring back to the aforementioned Splitter, I need to say I was utterly wrong about the track. Listening to it in the context of this album, it fits perfectly and brings out the song’s true nature.
Formed in 1989, it is testament to the desire of the band that they remain relevant to the UK’s rock scene. It would be easy for The Wildhearts to be a band living on their ridiculously strong back catalogue, but the fact is this is a band that are releasing albums that will attract new fans as well as keep old, grizzled fans like me happy.
21st Century Love Songs is fucking great!
(5 / 5)
