Album Review: A Stranger To You by Loathe
Loathe's previous record, “I Let It In and It Took Everything,” is widely regarded as one of the defining heavy albums of both 2020 and of the decade. During the time between album cycles we have seen the band perform with the likes of Korn, Spiritbox, Sleep Token, and Knocked Loose to name a few. After more than six years of anticipation, the Liverpool band have finally returned with “A Stranger to You.” So, how does the new album fair? Does it exceed past peoples expectations or was their previous album truly their magnum opus?
Entrance, a soothing jazz-infused ambient piano interlude, gently introduces the listener to the world of the album. Accompanied by spoken-word poetry from Bucki Suagr, the piece gradually swells before seamlessly transitioning into the first full track, Block of Flats.
The song opens with sharp, syncopated phaser-soaked guitar work built around simple chords, immediately establishing an irresistible groove. As its psychedelic atmosphere unfolds, the listener is hit with one of the heaviest baritone guitar tones imaginable. Block of Flats feels like a celebration as much as a statement of intent; it's impossible not to move to its hypnotic rhythms. The dynamics shift dramatically throughout, yet never at the expense of momentum. Loathe construct a dystopian, post-apocalyptic dancefloor where crushing heaviness coexists with mesmerizing ambience. They push their sound into new territory without abandoning the influences that made them who they are, culminating in a devastating, downtuned nailbomb breakdown that perfectly balances raw aggression with an otherworldly atmosphere. Oli, frontman of the Leeds based band Static Dress, makes a guest appearance, though is not noticeable unless you pay close attention, giving the track his ferocious screams, further complimenting the madness of the song. It's a filthy, exhilarating, and unforgettable welcome back.
Tracks such as Fortress Down and Harder to Pretend embrace a more pop-oriented palette while maintaining an underlying sense of unease. It doesn't initially sound like the Loathe fans have come to know and that's entirely the point. A band that has always thrived on experimentation continues to evolve without hesitation. At times, listeners may feel echoes of Screaming or even question whether they've heard similar motifs earlier in the record, but these moments serve to reinforce the album's cohesive identity rather than diminish it. Beneath the shimmering melodies remain flashes of crushing heaviness, with the band's exploration of genre fluidity shining brighter than ever.
From a production standpoint, Loathe continues to develop the sonic direction first hinted at with 2022's Dimorphous Display. The static, rubbery, almost seismic lows return with devastating effect across heavier tracks such as Gemini, Revenant, and Gifted Every Strength. Rather than relying on conventional guitar clarity, the instruments become part of an immense wall of sound, where every note feels less heard than physically experienced. The result is overwhelming in the best possible way as if every riff lands like the force of a divine punch. Gemini exemplifies this perfectly, culminating two-thirds through in a brutally simple hard techno inspired breakdown where the interplay between subterranean bass, gated kick drums and baritone guitars creates one of the album's most punishing moments.
The record's emotional weight is equally impressive with its psychedelic arsenal of sounds and lyrical story telling. Tracks such as The Way It Breaks, Fangs, The Ladder, and No Stranger to You... reveal a band determined to challenge themselves beyond the heaviness that defines their sound. New instrumentation, layered textures, and intricate arrangements demonstrate an obsessive attention to detail that permeates every second of the album. Every sound feels purposeful, every layer meticulously placed, allowing moments of chaos and clarity to exist side by side. It is an album that rewards patience, revealing new details with each successive listen.
There are moments of pure sincerity and somber, take the song The Ladder for example. You can picture this track in a melancholic romance film, like a character leaning their head against the passenger seat of a car, tears rolling down their cheek whilst their hair is blowing in the wind. The acoustic guitars, light drumming, soothing yet emotional vocals, and cinematic synths further emphasises on the core theme of heartbreak and reminiscing on the good years.
Kadeem and Eriks vocal chemistry have always been one of the bands greatest aspects, a strong blend of harmony in their cleans and screaming. There is this very hypnotising quality in the clean vocals, showcasing a clear inspiration from Deftones’ Chino Moreno, however it is more apparent in this record as well as them a trying new vocal style. On Fangs, a warm yet shadowy, fuzz-drenched track that could easily be mistaken for a Tame Impala song, the vocal performance showcases moments of subtle vibrato and more expressive phrasing, with certain words delivered in a way that carries noticeably greater emotional weight than on the band's previous releases.
No Stranger To You…, the final track on the album, is bittersweet as it is pulling at your heart strings with every crushing and devastating blow. Loathe have leaned heavily into the emotional aspect rather than it all being an impending weight of disgusting riffs and over the top noise. It’s more than a goodbye song, it feels like the end credits to a film you didn’t want to end but you knew it was coming. A true body of work that is a journey in of itself as it is a question to the listener of “what do i do now?”
There is a reason Loathe took their time with “A Stranger to You.” Rather than attempting to recreate “I Let It In and It Took Everything,” they have built something even more ambitious—an album that draws from countless musical styles while remaining unmistakably Loathe. Every creative decision feels driven by curiosity, by asking, "What happens if we push this even further?" The result is a record that feels simultaneously futuristic and nostalgic, challenging yet deeply rewarding. It won't click for everyone on first listen, but its ambition becomes clearer with every revisit. “A Stranger to You” stands confidently beside the band’s previous work, and in many ways, surpasses it. It's another landmark achievement from one of heavy music's most fearless and inventive bands.
FFO: Deftones, Sleep Token, The Fall of Troy
SCORE: 9/10
A Stranger To You is out now on all streaming platforms, released via Sharptone Records.
