One of Manchester’s hottest prospects, The Blinders, has released their most critically acclaimed album to date. Beholder feels as if the five-piece has stepped into their creative stride despite announcing they would be taking a step back from the band. 

After bursting onto the scene as one of the hottest prospects in the region, the years that succeeded Columbia haven’t been the kindest to the group. Their follow-up release, Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath, highlighted the lads can evolve their sound from angsty Punk-Rock. But that album was scheduled to be released right before the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by the loss of the original drummer, Matty Neale, and all momentum the group had garnered seemed to extinguish.

Now the band has undergone a lineup change, is now signed to EMI, and their third studio album Beholder, feels like the third bite of the same apple.

Originally hailing from Doncaster, the group now resides in Manchester, and we firmly claim them as one of our own. They are a band similar to the Courteeners – sounding incredible live but couldn’t quite capture that essence on the track. But this time feels different, as listening back to the album, I could feel myself mosh pitting in my room with my headphones on. It’s powerful and emotive, which captures the sound that The Blinders have become synonymous with when touring. But their output is more reflective of Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan and Nick Cave. 

They carry their Punk-Rock influences into this recent release, with politically driven lyrics and an ability to craft powerful and emotive songs, which hasn’t faded from a band active for a decade. 

But this release will be the last fans can expect for a while, as before the release, the group announced they ‘would take a step back to pursue something else for a while.’ The emphasis on the album has since shifted to a celebration of the sound they have carved for themselves, as fans will now retrospectively listen back to their back catalogue. But what better way to close off on a high? Well, they’ve definitely achieved that with this recording. 

Manchester band, The Blinders have released their third studio album, Beholder, after announcing
they would be taking a break from music. Photo Credit: Sam Crowston.

The opening track of the album Ceremony perfectly sets the tone for the nine songs set to proceed. The atmospheric, enigmatic, and bold guitar chords coarse through the opening and fuel the remainder of the track. Opening with the chorus, “I’m not the man you think I am. You’re not the woman you think you are. I am the man I think I am,” shows the self-reflection and growth the band has undergone to bring this record to life.

Brakelights is the title single from Beholder. It is a raucous and rampant demonstration, which is full of raw energy and emotion. Within the first two songs fans are engrossed in this incredibly composed album.

The tracklist navigates itself magnificently, which plays to the strengths of each band member. While I’m Still Young boasts hard-hitting guitar riffs, whilst At Any Hand But Hers features gloomy and intensely atmospheric drums.

The moody punk introduction to Always captures the emotion of the band, who may or may not know that they will be taking a hiatus following a release. While the whole album undergoes a more insightful focus and evocative lyricism from frontman Thomas Haywood, Always epitomises it. “Head is a mess and the moment is gone. Can’t even find the words to say it wrong. Feel like my body’s old and grown tired of the thrill.”

The maturity and experience the group has gained in the career after touring with The Charlatans, The View and Blossoms, including an appearance at Glastonbury and Kendal Calling, was on full display during Waterfalls Of Venice. The track displays incredible composure as it teases fans in with a drop in tempo from an otherwise energetic record. But the rampant bridge on this song, paired with the rhythmic drum patterns, allows the rest of the band to be at their creative best. 

Concluding the album is All I Need, a fitting ending to what has been an incredible stint in terms of a grassroots band, but unfortunately never got to the heights of being majorly commercial. Regardless of their announcement, the lyrics elude to a hiatus from the group, “I’m going, I’m going, I’m going, I’m gone.” 

Hopefully not for too long, as if this album is an insight into their future, whether that be near or distant, it looks incredibly promising of something great.

Feature Image Accreditation: The Blinders via EMI Records.