Nothing But Thieves
Moral Panic
Release Date: Oct 23, 2020
Genre(s): Pop/Rock
Record label: RCA
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Album Review: Moral Panic by Nothing But Thieves
Great, Based on 3 Critics
Based on rating 4
It appears that Nothing But Thieves haven't kicked their habit of making anthemic hits. Now, with a combination of frontman Connor Mason's intense vocal skills, angsty guitar reminiscent of baggy maximalist era Kasabian or – at times – a softer Snow Patrol nostalgia, and a whole load of gritty breakdowns, the Essex-based band have turned the feeling of moral panic (of which we are all now too familiar with) into a living, breathing, and characteristically anthemic, beast of an album. Phobia is one of the standout tracks of the album, despite having none of the easy likability and nostalgic Amsterdam tones of modern rock single Is Everybody Going Crazy?, or the eeriness of later single Real Love Song.
Based on rating 7.5/10
The whole album is a deep dive into the dregs of the world. It's an ode to everything that's deeply messed up; protruding in its lyricism and upbeat alt-rock sensibilities an almost too-close-to-home kind of dystopia, and the anguish and turmoil that comes with it. The first single, "Is Everybody Going Crazy?", provided an initial taster of this very concept, as frontman Conor Mason remarks: "The world just spins / And in this wounded / Sinister place / We've only got each other".
Based on rating 7
Despite the alluding name and lyrics recounting the end of days, Nothing But Thieves third studio album 'Moral Panic' was written way before the dystopian era of 2020. With an impressive track record just five years into their studio career, 'Moral Panic' is an amalgamation of everything the band do best. From the recognisable silken ballads to the heavier prog-rock tracks, Nothing But Thieves have certainly found their signature sound and run far, far away with it.
'Moral Panic'
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