MAXIMO PARK are an English alternative rock band from Newcastle Upon Tyne who formed in 2000. 

After their first two albums A Certain Trigger (2005) and Our Earthly Pleasures (2007) achieving ‘gold’ status in the UK and their debut being nominated for the Mercury Prize, they have gone on to release a steady stream of material over the years and returned in February with album #7, Nature Always Wins.

“Partly Of My Making” opens the album and what an exceptional opening it is, with drawn out vocals, the bright, enthusiastic sound is delivered above thrashing drums and a repetitively enticing guitar sequence. The tighter chorus contrasts well during the stripped back instrumental. 

The slow and solemn “Versions of You” is brought to life with lively drumming while the chorus offers a sense of relief before it transitions perfectly into “Baby, Sleep”, possibly one of the greatest songs around currently, it’s been stuck in my head for months now (ear worm alert!) with its extremely addictive, perfectly crafted lyrics, crunchy guitar and shifting tempo making for a truly exhilarating track. 

The metronomical opening of “Placeholder” is interrupted by a jaunty melody that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on an early album by The Smiths, something I particularly enjoyed due to the lulling and fuller sound that the song conveyed. 

“All Of Me” is another song that’s overflowing with power and emotion while “Ardour” feels rather curt and snappy compared to other album tracks. “Meeting Up” presents somewhat of a psychedelic experience, the extraterrestrial synths and smashing beats demonstrate that, whilst slow, a song can still be very impactful. 

“Why Must A Building Burn” is simply a feel good song, the instrumentation is high for a refreshing sound and the vocal melody is oh so catchy. As we approach the end of the album, things begin to slow down with “Feelings I’m Supposed To Feel”,  misty and tranquillising, it works perfectly with the final song “Child Of The Flatlands”, there’s a bit of everything here - synths, highs and lows, loud and quiet, jamming guitar, intoxicating drums and nimble lyrics. Psychedelic moments complement the silent and vocally prominent ones, enabling a pleasantly mellow end to a dazzlingly passionate album.

Review by marthasradio