Album Review: GUN – Hombres (Cooking Vinyl)

‘Hombres’, the ninth studio album from Scottish rock heroes GUN, is set for release on April 12th, 2024 via Cooking Vinyl. It the first album of all new music from the group since 2017’s Favourite Pleasures.

Let’s have some fun with GUN, something that is made so much easier when you have foot-tappers and finger-snappers like this new album to enjoy. An album filled with groove, an album filled with body-shakers, and an album that will have widespread appeal.

Something that comes from the simple rock approach that GUN has. Although, that doesn’t mean it lacks creativity. After all, sustaining this approach across ten tracks (thirteen with the bonus tracks) is not going to be easy. Yes, Hombres does a few lulls, but they’re few and far between, and even then, they’re only notable because of the quality that exists elsewhere.

Quality that is front and centre with the banging pair of tracks that arrive at the start; All Fired Up and Boys Don’t Cry. Instant hits of rock dopamine that showcase smooth vocals, riffy rhythms and sexy hooks, thrilling solos, and catchy choruses. If you can’t find anything to enjoy with these tracks, chances are, this album isn’t going to be for you.

Especially as the following Take Me Back Home is one of the lulls. Lacking anything particularly memorable, even if it has a slightly sleazy edge.

The course is corrected though with Fake Life, GUN slowing the tempo down and delving into bluesy groove territory. Followed by the wonderfully touching Falling, a track with stunning melody and some of the album’s best vocals. Before You Are What I Need forces you to move with its infectious vibes, and Never Enough brings the energised groove back with aplomb. A series of tracks that showcase the very best of GUN.

There’s another bit of a lull with Don’t Hide Your Fears Tonight, as the melody is a bit dull. However, it must be stated that this still feels like grasping, as Hombres is just too enjoyable overall to really be that strong of a criticism and the excitement to hear what comes next is still heavily present.

Thankfully GUN keep things fun and interesting right up to the very end with the groovy thrum of Lucky Guy and the soulfully epic A Shift in Time. Two more stellar efforts on an album with many stellar efforts. In fact, if you’re hungry for more, Hombres has three bonus tracks for you to enjoy. Coming Back to You, Wrong to Be Right, and Pride. Each with more of that lovable GUN goodness.

GUN – Hombres Track Listing:

1. All Fired Up
2. Boys Don’t Cry
3. Take Me Back Home
4. Fake Life
5. Falling
6. You Are What I Need
7. Never Enough
8. Don’t Hide Your Fears Tonight
9. Lucky Guy
10. A Shift in Time
11. Coming Back to You (Bonus Track)
12. Wrong to Be Right (Bonus Track)
13. Pride (Bonus Track)

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