The Mysterines – Afraid of Tomorrows

The alternative rock landscape has become more of an underground phenomenon in recent years. It’s all the more impressive, then, that The Mysterines have managed to stand out with their gloriously sludgy brand of grungey alt-rock. After the release of their much-praised debut album Reeling just two years ago, they’re back with the deep and dark Afraid of Tomorrows.

The lead single Stray is undeniably catchy, and singer Lia Metcalfe’s gritty yet soulful voice channels the contralto tones similar to that of Garbage’s Shirley Manson. This second record ditches the more raucous energy of their debut for something more concentrated, with satisfying shadowy emotion that the listener can really get lost in. The Last Dance is a passionate opener with gothic undertones, while Another, Another, Another sets the tone for the industrial and Placebo-esque Tired Animal.

There is sadness in this record, and Metcalfe has recently spoken about addressing substance abuse on Afraid of Tomorrows. Speaking to DIY Magazine, she said, “I’m talking about substance abuse quite a lot and what it’s made me become, and I’m scared of tomorrow now because it’s going to run into my life, and I don’t want to keep doing that.” This is conveyed in the closing title track, as Metcalfe sings: “I wish I had eyes of a frightened child / So someone could cover them for me / I’m so afraid of tomorrows” – a lyric that perfectly captures how frightening it is to feel out of control of yourself.

Veteran grunge photographer Steve Gullick, known for photographing the greats of the 90s, has brilliantly captured the band for this release, and the pairing is a match made in heaven. It’s not unusual for grunge bands to sing about substance abuse, but while the bands Gullick photographed back in the day sang about heartache from drugs and alcohol, sometimes even glorifying it, The Mysterines explore the anxiety-induced paranoid side of substance abuse in a way that’s unique to the current generation; it’s a despairing generation, surrounded by uncertainty and always worrying about the future, which tends to take the fun out of getting wasted.

Afraid of Tomorrows is a strong record, with the highs of thumping tracks like Sink Ya Teeth and the wonderful penetrating lows of So Long. This is a fantastic return from The Mysterines, who continue to be one of the most exciting bands around at the moment.

Hannah Broughton
Image: Steve Gullick

Afraid of Tomorrows is released on 21^st June 2024. For further information or to order the album visit The Mysterines’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Sink Ya Teeth here: