Album Review: Kindness Is the New Rock and Roll by Peace

Peace have always been a band with something to say. In 2013, following the release of debut album 'In Love', guitarist Doug Castle appeared on BBC radio show Pienaar's Politics to discuss protest music. "Spreading a message of love is more important than spreading a message of hate," he told the show's host. On second album 'Happy People', they spoke out about issues relevant to their fans' lives, like grappling with physical insecurities ("I wish I had perfect skin/I wish I was tall and thin" on 'Perfect Skin') and society's accepted ideas of gendered behaviour ("If you're not macho then try to be funny/If you can't fuck or fight then I hope that you're hungry" on 'I'm A Girl').

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Brit-pop-championing indie quartet Peace continue their upward trajectory, audaciously proclaiming kindness to be the new rock & roll on their confident third album. Following tours for their 2015 sophomore set, Happy People, the baggy-influenced Birmingham rockers took a much-needed break from the public world, sequestering themselves for nearly two years in a National Trust farmhouse in rural Herefordshire to reflect and write new material. A transatlantic trip in 2017 to the similarly pastoral hamlet of Woodstock, New York to work with producer Simone Felice (Bat for Lashes, the Lumineers), resulted in the pleasingly unfiltered and buoyant collection Kindness Is the New Rock and Roll.

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With their last album, Peace transcended their small indie band status after playing some of their biggest shows to date. But rather than releasing a quick follow-up, Peace went away. Now back, can they pick up where they left off? Beginning with 'Power', an anthemic blend of rousing lyrics and sun-drenched guitars, Peace continue the positivity on the grand title track, spreading the love with a gospel choir.

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