Razorlight – Planet Nowhere

It almost seems as though breaking up is a canon event for almost any band. For Razorlight, a hiatus-turned-break-up turned into their reality. Creative differences plagued them, as they do any group, and eventually, they decided to follow their own paths. A decade later, however, the quartet reunited; most bands could never dream of having the unbreakable bond singer Johnny Borrell, guitarist Björn Ågren, bassist Carl Delemo and drummer Andy Burrows were able to redevelop seemingly out of the blue. Burrows revealed to The Upcoming that although they had not been in touch and experienced different journeys, they found each other once again. The four decided to lock themselves in Spain’s Space Mountain Studio: they ate and slept in the same quarters for a year all while living above the studio. The product of this retreat is their latest record, Planet Nowhere.

Planet Nowhere is quintessential Razorlight, but with a twist: stripped-down instrumentals and a focus on the intricacies of production are at the forefront, and the band lets the music speak for itself. The opening track on the album, Zombie Love, is an example of this. There are elements of the old Razorlight, but there are also notes of a matured and simplistic version of themselves, especially considering the lyricism. The story being told is uncomplicated, catchy and straightforward. The group is not trying to be anything particularly new and is certainly not attempting to stray far from who they once were. Although the elements of the song seem easy, it is an excellent way for Razorlight to reintroduce themselves to listeners both old and new.

The subsequent songs carry on with their reimagined sound. Taylor Swift = US Soft Propaganda has a title that will certainly turn heads, but the content within it contradicts the bold label it wears. They follow through with a laid back, yet intriguing production style of the four core elements with music – guitar, bass, drums, and vocals – and do not demand listeners to dig their claws deeply into the track, making it stand out as an overall good representation of this new era.

Dirty Luck is also a highlight: it is balanced, effortlessly cool and displays Razlorlight’s alchemy wonderfully. Each member has their chance to show prowess of their assigned disciplines. Burrows’ drums act as the heartbeat of the song, tying Ågren’s guitar and Delemo’s bass into a neat, yet special package whilst Borrell’s vocals mediate the instrumentals strongly. 

Although many of the songs discuss classic themes of love or general relationships like U Can Call Me or Cyclops, they also dive into their individual life experiences from the past 22 years, making seemingly uncomplicated lyrics deeper than they appear, yet still unpretentious, especially to longtime fans. Scared of Nothing and Empire Service express this perspective, and Cool People even addresses the band’s own relationship. The final moment on Planet Nowhere, April Ends, ties in all of these concepts; while they could be discussing love, they could also be addressing Razorlight’s dynamic and how they care they have for each other, making it a lyrical standout comparatively.

Overall, Razorlight’s reunion is beyond remarkable; they may hardly address their hiatus or return, but their avoidance of the assumed drama surrounding their individual departures and attention to the music is refreshing. In Planet Nowhere, the group is not trying to be something it is not; they did not diverge from their original sound despite being apart or experimenting as solo artists and managed to create something light, fun, direct and clear.

Taryn Crowley
Image: Press

Planet Nowhere is released on 25^th October 2024. For further information or to order the album visit Razorlight’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Scared of Nothing here: