Album Review: Slowly Slowly – Forgiving Spree (Nettwerk)

‘Forgiving Spree’ is the new album from Australian pop punk and indie rock quartet, Slowly Slowly. It’s out January 24th, 2025, via Nettwerk.

On face value, especially when the album first starts off, you could be forgiven for thinking that what we have here is pop-focused rock bangers designed to be alternatively catchy and widely accessible.

Which it is and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Except, you should never judge something on face value, and the more time spent in the company of Forgiving Spree, the more it opens itself up. It’s a deeper, more sensitive, effort than it first may seem and sees Slowly Slowly at their most expressive, especially from a lyrical standpoint.

Guitarist and vocalist Ben Stewart is opening up here, it connects and will please so many. That, and the fact that the opening title track has foot-tapping rock rhythm, thought-provoking melody, and an energetic chorus.

From that to Gimmie the Wrench and the sound of a band on a creative high as their pop sensibilities result in something that is simple, but effective. Then there is How Are You Mine, one of the sweetest songs on the entire album, but one taken from a more buoyant angle, and proving to be Slowly Slowly at their catchiest. Before Hurricane comes along to set a more sobering scene, not just lyrically, but from a melodic stance. It’s very pretty, even if it comes tinged with sadness. A lot of people will feel touched by a track like this.

Not that anyone needs it, but the bounce is back on the next track, All Time. The ringing guitar melody and powerful vocals build to a likable beat that evolves bit by bit as the track goes on. This is an imaginative effort, one that feels fresh, but doesn’t steer too far out of the waters Slowly Slowly inhabits. Like it or loathe it, they have a sound and style, and it’s pop-orientated, which might be at its most prominent on Love Letters. Stewart sounds great here.

How about another pop-heavy track that has a more retro sound (80s)? If that’s the sort of question to get you excited, then you’re going to love That’s That. Slowly Slowly sound like they had a blast making this stupidly infectious effort. Then there is the penultimate track, Meltdown Masquerade, a track with clubs in mind, especially when you take the chorus’ danceability into account.

It’s all so enjoyable, all so listenable, all so memorable, and then along comes Born Free to put the cherry on top. The longest track by some distance, it’s a piece of music that captivates, the melody, heart-wrenching, and the vocals, tender. Even as it reaches a powerful point in the latter stages, that beautiful vulnerability is still present. It’s a stunning closing track that few will be able to hold back the tears on.

Slowly Slowly – Forgiving Spree Track Listing:

1. Forgiving Spree
2. Gimme The Wrench
3. How Are You Mine
4. Hurricane
5. All Time
6. Love Letters
7. That’s That
8. Meltdown Masquerade
9. Born Free

Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter