Thoughts Words Action reviews Bedford Falls new ‘Pleasureland’ LP…
Few bands wear their influences as well as Bedford Falls. For over two decades, the Cardiff-based quartet has been crafting music that bridges the anthemic vibes of eighties college rock, the contemplative openness of emo, and the infectious liveliness of nineties indie. Their latest album, Pleasureland, released on October 4, 2024, continues that legacy yet it does it in a bold refined way, acting as a distillation of everything that makes their music compelling. It’s a record that hums with natural emotion and musical precision, proving once again that Bedford Falls is a band still at the peak of its powers.
Right from the opening moments, Pleasureland oozes with an immediacy that engages with the listener. The guitars are drenched in generous servings of distortion and melodic bite, but with a clarity that never lets the hooks get squashed. The band leans into their noisier tendencies here, letting their instruments speak as much as the lyrics. Every chord progression is intentional, and every transition is smooth but never predictable. There’s an artful balance between aggression and melody that exemplifies years of honing their craft. The chemistry within the band is what makes Pleasureland such an incredible album. The vocal arrangements carry a warmth and sincerity that set the record apart. There’s a weight to every lyric, a sense of earnestness that never tips into sentimentality. The vocals aren’t just melodies, they’re a conversation, an emotional push and pull that deeply resonates with the listener. Whether gliding over walls of distorted guitars or settling into a more subdued moment, the voice serves as a centrepiece of Pleasureland, drawing the consumer into this profoundly textured soundscape.
The guitars do a lot of the heavy lifting, but they never feel overpowering. Instead, they interweave around the vocals, sometimes pushing forward with muscular riffs or pulling back to let a melody breathe. The interplay between lead and rhythm guitars is one of their greatest strengths, creating an immediate and intricate dynamic. There’s a mindful layering at work, a willingness to let feedback and distortion add depth without ever overwhelming the core melody. Every song feels like it’s been carefully shaped, but never at the expense of its raw, live energy. Beneath it all, the rhythm section anchors the album with such precision and finesse. The basslines are intricate but never ostentatious, winding through the mix with a keen sense of movement. They carry a melodic sensibility that elevates the songs, filling spaces left open by the guitars and adding a spontaneous warmth. In the meantime, the excellent drumming performance creates control and intensity with each beat feeling calculated. There’s a precision in these rhythmic patterns that speaks of years spent together, of a band that exactly knows how to support each other musically.
It’s nearly mind-blowing how Pleasureland feels immediate. This isn’t a record that demands multiple listens to be appreciated, but a masterpiece that grabs you from the first spin. But with each repeat, new details emerge. A subtle harmony tucked behind a chorus, a guitar line that shifts slightly in its repetition, a bass run that locks in with the drums at just the right moment. It’s an album that cites attention without requiring it, as suited for an introspective listen on headphones as it is for blasting through speakers at full volume. And yet, for all its energy and intricacy, Pleasureland never feels predictable or overly planned. There’s an organic quality to it, a sense that these songs weren’t laboured over but lived through. That authenticity is what makes Bedford Falls such a magnificent band and what makes this album one of their best. It’s a record built on feeling, on instinct, on the kind of chemistry that only comes from years of making music together.
Bedford Falls is one of those rare bands that sound organic, fresh, unique, and innovative, as their latest full-length doesn’t just pay homage to the past, it pushes forward, refining and reinterpreting the sounds that shaped them. It’s a record that captures the restless spirit of indie and college rock while feeling utterly fresh. The band may have been at this for more than twenty years, but Pleasureland proves they’re still finding new ways to surprise, new depths to explore, new energy to unleash. It’s an album for longstanding fans and newcomers, and whatever your familiarity with their work is, one thing is clear, Pleasureland is an album that demands to be heard. It’s a passionate, soulful, honest dive into college rock, emo, indie, and power pop.
Head to Engineer Records for more information about ordering this masterpiece on vinyl.
You can pick up a copy of Bedford Falls 'Pleasureland' LP on limited edition orange vinyl from Brassneck Records or Engineer Records now.
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