When Maxïmo Park emerged almost two decades ago their well-read indie-pop quickly pushed them to the top of a thriving British rock scene, with indie disco ubiquity becoming a brief flirtation with mainstream celebrity. Given the shifting sands of the industry, the Newcastle band’s stock isn’t quite as high today but ‘Stream of Life’ is performed as though they’re still in their mid-‘00s heyday.
Taking inspiration from a short story by Ukrainian-born Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector, the band’s eighth full length was recorded with returning producer Ben Allen between Atlanta and Athens, Georgia. It isn’t a million miles away from what you’d expect from a Maxïmo Park record, but their formula remains fresh thanks to its exploration of introspection and frontman Paul Smith’s observations on society.
Their trademark soaring guitars and singalong choruses dazzle on self-reflective opener Your Own Worst Enemy, but Favourite Songs’ poppy riffs and defiant lyrics combine for the record’s standout track. “My best years are behind me / but I’ll be damned if I’m giving up,” Smith sings.
But they aren’t entirely one trick ponies. The acoustic finger-plucking on Armchair View builds to a keys-driven, atmospheric outro, while a high-powered trade-off between Geordie and Georgia tones occurs on Dormant ‘Til Explosion, which features Athens scene royalty in Pylon vocalist Vanessa Briscoe Hay.
The record’s back half is more pedestrian but lit up at the last by the uplifting No Such Thing As A Society, which hits back at Margaret Thatcher’s famous quote: “My family were told there’s no such thing as society / despite the evidence I find surrounding me.”
Without breaking the mould sonically, ‘Streams of Life’ maintains Maxïmo Park’s lofty standards. Carried, as ever, by the charisma of Smith, its unique charm, reflective spirit and uplifting nature makes for another winning experience.
Maximo Park Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue October 08 2024 - DUBLIN Academy
Wed October 09 2024 - BELFAST Limelight 2
Fri October 11 2024 - EDINBURGH Queen's Hall
Sat October 12 2024 - MANCHESTER New Century
Sun October 13 2024 - MANCHESTER New Century
Tue October 15 2024 - LEEDS Leeds Beckett Students Union
Wed October 16 2024 - NORWICH Waterfront
Fri October 18 2024 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
Sat October 19 2024 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
Sun October 20 2024 - BRIGHTON Concorde 2
Tue October 22 2024 - BRISTOL Trinity Centre
Wed October 23 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Birmingham Town Hall
Thu October 24 2024 - SHEFFIELD Leadmill
Sat October 26 2024 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Boiler Shop
Sun October 27 2024 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Boiler Shop
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