Editors – EBM

Editors have been a mainstay of the British alternative/indie scene for 20 years now, with two number-one albums and a string of hit singles, including Munich and Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors. The band’s sound incorporates elements more traditional to the genre but they’re not afraid to diversify. Now, they’re back with EBM, their first record in four years and their seventh LP, full of epic tracks and plenty of reason for fans to be optimistic. 

The first thing of note is the sheer scale: there might only be nine songs but all, bar one, are in excess of five minutes long, giving each a sense of grandeur. EBM manages to balance the group’s typically more classic indie with a tinge of electronica, recalling the likes of New Order and Depeche Mode. It’s this marriage of styles that makes it a compelling record with a shift in direction. 

Heart Attack builds slowly, with the electronic influences on full display; the guitars still find room to be heard and the blend of the two is an interesting mix. Picturesque opens in a relentless fashion, showing there is still a thundering energy Editors’ output, as evidenced in their live performances. 

The musicianship of the group is displayed in Karma Climb, with an infectious chorus of “if you don’t know what you’re feeling / you’ll never know, go, give it away” creeping in, making this one of the poppiest numbers on the record but also with some of the most outright rock 

Kiss is really exemplary of the experimental nature of the release, coming in at seven minutes and 50 seconds, yet proving engaging for its entirety as one of the standouts in an impressive assemblage of material. This is a song that’s sure to go down well in the group’s live sets. One of the heavier offerings, Silence still manages to retain the electronic glow that encompasses so much of the LP. The harder edge is retained on Strawberry Lemonade, underlining the versatility to the group and depth to their sound. 

Vibe is far and away the shortest track on the record, but makes its three-minute-40 runtime count – decidedly electronic but nonetheless impressive. The lengthiness returns for closers Educate and Strange Intimacy. The record could quickly run out of steam or feel repetitive with so many long tracks, but the quality of musicianship on display prevents this from happening, resulting in a constantly diverting collection with plenty to admire and no shortage of variety. 

EBM is a beguiling record that clearly shows Editors still have a point to prove after 20 years, and the huge expanse of their sound is a testament to their ambition and willingness to subvert expectations. This latest release acts as a celebration of the group’s music, but also presents a welcome shift in direction and a sign of things to come. 

Christopher Connor

EBM is released on 23^rd September 2022. For further information or to order the album visit Editors’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Vibe here: