Album Review: Nothing But Thieves, Stray Dogs

These musical magpies have earned a reputation over the last decade for being unafraid to spreading their creative wings. Three years on from their fourth record, UK number one Dead Club City, the Southend rockers are back with a record that again redefines their sound.

Earthier and more exciting than their previous outing, producer and NBT riff wrangler, Dominic Craik, has done an excellent job capturing their explosive live sound. Exploring themes of community, belonging and shared experience, Stray Dogs is at its best when the guitars are cranked up to 11, and the band lean into those Queens Of The Stone Age, Muse and Smashing Pumpkins influences.

The super-catchy ‘Evolution’ tips a cap to both the Gaslight Anthem and Don Henley's evergreen ‘The Boys Of Summer', while the irresistible ‘Baby Kool (Evelyn)’ is destined to be a mainstream hit. Elsewhere, the nu-metal and grunge mash-up ‘American Confidence’ is driven by some stellar vocals from the versatile Conor Mason.

A fun and often feral salvo of mongrel rock, Stray Dogs has plenty of bite.

7/10