Brighton band Thrillhouse have long been on our radar and, while at times the radar’s been on the blink due the sheer volume of noise in the industry, one thing has never changed and that’s their continued creative output. In fact we’ve followed them since early 2020 and they released their debut album ‘Something About This Place’ in 2023 (see our review here).
These days essentially a duo consisting of Sam Baldwin and Jack Nielsen, Thrillhouse are back with their new album ‘Smile’ and all is well in the world. In the musical sense, anyway.
According to the duo, Baldwin was in a mire of personal turmoil as he started writing material for the album. Besieged by a break-up and a succession of bereavements, those emotions became infused in his composition. But between the cathartic release of channelling those feelings into his music and the natural passing of time, that conflict translated into contentment. It’s a journey documented in ‘Smile’, a record which according to the band reflects life’s myriad and often unpredictable twists-and-turns.
Baldwin says:
When you’re going through those things, you often feel like you’re the only one dealing with them. A lot of these songs were written as a message of support to people that I love. But I also realised that I was writing for myself, too. Like, this is what I need to hear.
Opening track ‘Wanna See You Smile’ displays a greater lever of maturity and pose than their earlier material: coasting on a gentle dappling instrumentation and an indelible melody infused with a degree of melancholy and ethereal backing vocals. As almost the title track, it’s a warm embrace, welcoming you into their world.
‘See You’ has an alt. country delivery, upbeat with wailing guitars and the distinct vibrant vocals of Baldwin with an added twang, while ‘I’ll Still Be There’ drifts into a new wave sparkle, reminding me a little of the greatly underrated band Thrashing Doves, with Baldwin’s urgent vocals and the anthemic delivery, cinematic and hair-raising. Baldwin says of the track:
I run music workshops for people with learning disabilities. I went to this event that one of the parents had put on and it was just so incredibly touching. That song was written about the dynamic I saw between a parent and their daughter. Working in a positive environment like that helps pull you back to the reality of how hard and how nice life can be.
‘Seven Wonders’ confirms the band’s ability to effortlessly deliver stylistic changes, entering a Lou Reid, T-Rex or Steve Harley world of keen observational delivery, louche and a touch sardonic. ‘Drain’ returns to a reflective style with another alt. country twang that has an air of George Harrison, powered by intense instrumentation, while ‘The Tide’ and ‘Where Would I Be Without You’ have a Dylanesque brush in their very DNA. The latter track has a Randy Newman expression and there’s a touching personal romanticism to the lyrics that is as expressive as it is moving.
‘Ready For What’s Coming’ drives ahead with a pop sensibility and urgent backing vocals and ‘Couldn’t Save It’ is a deeply resonant and personal paean to romantic loss. ‘A Light Drive’ has reflective acoustic guitars and a tender delivery, rich vocals that have a Lloyd Cole thrum replete with a gentle whistle interlude.
Final track ‘Torn Right Out Of The Palm Of Your Hand’ leads us gently to the end of a shimmering journey, personal and intense. The jingle jangle guitars and sonorous vocals created something quite magnificent with a cinematic anthemic delivery that would light up a stadium.
Thrillhouse have an inherent ability to deliver the most buoyant and sparkling tracks that combine a degree of hyperactivity with a pop sensibility that positively shimmers. The band is beginning to get the respect it deserves after years of creative output. They marry an accomplished musicianship with a precise scientific ear for melody and rhythm.
‘Smile’ is out now and released through Manchester label Spirit of Spike Island and available to download and stream here. You can get special vinyl editions here.
Thrillhouse’s live plans include in-stores in London and Manchester. Expect more details to be revealed soon.
