LP
Island (2016) UK
Catfish and the Bottlemen return with a new album The Ride which features 11 tracks written by frontman Van McCann and produced by Dave Sardy (Noel Gallagher, Ok Go, Wolfmother). The album was recorded mainly in Los Angeles.
Dave Sardy's production adds texture, detail, and crucially, some darkness to Catfish. There's a sinister throb to jealous-ex anthem "Red", while acoustic ballad "Heathrow" introduces appealing vulnerability to McCann's emotional palette.
The best track is "Outside", a song of alienation full of climbs, dizzying drops and a chorus given a thrilling undertow by a descending guitar figure.