Mogwai - The Bad Fire - Vinyl Record 2LP

The release of a new Mogwai album—marking their eleventh—is a reason for great excitement. Titled The Bad Fire, it takes its name from a working-class Glaswegian expression for Hell, reflecting the struggles faced by the band members. New to the studio is American producer John Congleton, acclaimed for his collaborations with Explosions In The Sky, Sigur Rós, John Grant, and others. His influence is evident in the album’s three singles. The opener “God Gets You Back” evokes the sound of Daft Punk being pursued by My Bloody Valentine, while “Fanzine Made Of Flesh” mimics a festive parade for a baby yeti; and “Lion Rumpus” genuinely resembles the commotion of a lion. Describing Mogwai's music is challenging, yet experiencing it is effortless. At an overwhelming volume, it can devastate your physical being, reducing you to a mere head that should inevitably slump. Nonetheless, there’s an uplifting quality, an inherent beauty within the chaos that elevates and empowers you, a reminder that paradise is your true heritage. This rings particularly true for The Bad Fire. Although birthed from dark circumstances, the essence of four musicians collaborating in the present transcends it all – the only realm where Mogwai truly thrive.