The Horrors have always been ones to stand out from the crowd. In the mid to late ‘00s, they brought a heap of cartoonish goth colour to an otherwise vanilla British indie scene, with 2009’s ‘Primary Colours’ scooping a Mercury nomination along the way. And they weren’t just a flash in the pan, either.
The stunning ‘Night Life’ arrives two decades after their formation, capping a comeback after eight years away with a new line up and a fresh sonic outlook taking in moody soundscapes and synth-heavy atmospherics.
Today, The Horrors still are still centred around the core duo of enigmatic frontman Faris Badwan and bassist Rhys Webb but their sixth LP is their first without the original group — Ninth Wave’s Amelia Webb and Telegram’s Jordan Cook joined in 2024 to play keys and drums, respectively.
Brooding opener Ariel is a fitting introduction to this approach to their revised approach. Eerie atmospherics, chopped up rhythms and Badwan’s ominous lyrics provide the perfect curtain raiser. “In this world of silent winterscapes / All dreams hang unseen in the air,” he opens.
Such iciness then breaks into Silent Sister, where a mix of industrial beats and distorted guitars pay homage to early ‘90s Nine Inch Nails. The Silence That Remains, described by the band as a “3am insomnia walk through the city”, is a haunting exploration of grief and loneliness. Lotus Eater, meanwhile, brings an ambient, electronic focus for a desolate, beautiful seven minute epic.
Amid all this, The Horrors prove their knack for producing anthems hasn’t escaped them. The soaring Trial By Error and New Order-esque dance-rock LA Runaway offer an optimistic closing point, leaving ‘Night Life’ as a superbly crafted record that’sboth expansive and empty, nocturnal and intimate. Intense and innovative, it’s a new chapter in the life of The Horrors, and enthralling to the bitter end.
The Horrors Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue March 25 2025 - LIVERPOOL Rough Trade
Wed March 26 2025 - MANCHESTER Piccadily Records @ Night and Day Cafe
Thu March 27 2025 - LEEDS Crash Records @ Brudenell Social Club
Wed November 19 2025 - DUBLIN National Stadium
Fri November 21 2025 - BIRMINGHAM Crossing
Sun November 23 2025 - BRIGHTON Chalk
Mon November 24 2025 - CARDIFF Students' Union - Y Plas
Tue November 25 2025 - GLASGOW QMU
Wed November 26 2025 - LEEDS Project House
Fri November 28 2025 - MANCHESTER New Century
Sat November 29 2025 - LONDON O2 Forum Kentish Town
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
