The Heavy - Amen (Bad Son Recordings)
Release Date: Out Now
So, The Heavy are new to my ears in 2023 but based on the early string of singles I was pretty excited to hear this album and 'Amen' does not disappoint. Kicking off (in every sense) with early single 'Hurricane Coming' the cross Atlantic settle in to a strong rock'n'roll groove full of sexy horns, dirty bass, powerhouse drums and the kind of vocals that will have congregations speaking in tongues. 'Ain't A Love' adopts a more country'n'western swagger as it busts through the saloon doors and fixes the barman with a stare that says "don't mess with me, I'm spoiling for a fight". However, it is the rattling and rolling drums of 'Bad Motherfucker' that really grabs your attention as the the guitars try to keep up and the whole atmosphere takes a turn for the serious.
Handclaps and a honky tonk piano set the mood on 'I Feel The Love' which will have high hands of praise in procession out of the church and down the high street before 'Messin' with my Mind' settles into a Black Keys-esque stride that is nigh on impossible to resist. There is a more laid back feel to 'Just Like Summer' but the blues and rock'n'roll vibes are still front and centre with added soul in the backing vocals just for good measure.
By the time we reach recent single 'Stone Cold Killer' (a song about a kitten, no less), the Heavy have really started to enjoy themselves with a song that has an 80s tinge to it but still a strong rock'n'roll heart beat (and plenty of cowbell). The sultry strings on 'Whole Lot Of Me' couple perfectly with a rhythm section that is determined to grind out a groove and if you can't find a home for your soul in a song like this then there's no hope for you. That groove gets deeper on 'Feels Like Rain' and the strings continue to sweep and swoon on the kind of song that deserves the crooning frontman performance that it duly gets. The album closes out with 'Without A Woman', a song that was almost written to have the credits roll underneath it such is the sense of completeness and slight regret woven in to this track. Rock, roll, Motown, soul and a whole lot more besides makes this a strong, strong contender for album of the year. Can I get an Amen?
More information: https://www.facebook.com/theheavy73
Live Dates:
15th September - KOKO, London
16th September - Academy 2, Manchester
18th September - St Luke's, Glasgow
19th September - Academy 2, Birmingham
21st September - SWX, Bristol