Album Review: Manic Street Preachers, Critical Thinking

Nicky Wire opens Manic Street Preachers’ 15th studio album with the question, “What happened to your critical thinking?” He then lists a bombardment of social media-style affirmations that are worryingly prevalent in the contemporary digital landscape: “It’s okay to not be okay / Live your best life / Be your authentic self / Be fitter / Be happier / Speak your personal truth."

To all of which he delightfully retorts, “Fuck that!”

It's all set to the distinctive sound of a James Dean Bradfield custom riff, and a Sean Moore martial breakbeat that you can groove to. Aye, this is a Manics record alright, complete with a twist of JG Ballard and a wicked desert highway record sleeve.

Speaking of Wire, the Anne Sexton-inspired ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ is the first ever Manics' single with lead vocals from the band’s primary lyricist. It’s a delicious slice of '70s-style rock and roll, and more than worth the wait. The song taps into mid-life nostalgia, which lead single ‘Decline & Fall’ also maps, whilst harnessing an ABBA energy that featured prominently on their last outing, The Ultra Vivid Lament.

Elsewhere, ‘Dear Stephen’ charmingly calls out to one Stephen Patrick Morrissey, a long-time hero of the band, while ‘Late Day Peaks’ details the often-impossible dreams of the mature urban poet that sometimes do become realised. The record then wraps on ‘OneManMilitia’, something of an anthem for all things Manic in the 2020s.

Out now

8/10