Loaded Album of the week
By Fred Spanner
ASH: Ad Astra ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you managed to catch their latest album, Race The Night, you may well have seen this coming. Ad Astra (Latin for “To The Stars”) is the second in their Fierce Panda trilogy, and we’re going as far as to say this is their best yet.
Their cosmic journey began in the Britpop years, and having escaped from that banner, they evolved to become one of the most energetic and creative bands of the past few decades.
The new record kicks off with “Give Me Back My World,” an homage to COVID. It lands noisily and urgently.. It’s Ash doing what they do best: making power-pop sound like life or death, while still giving you a tune you simply won’t be able to get out of your head for the rest of the day.
Elsewhere, they’ve brought Graham Coxon along for the ride. Blur’s axe-man adds some wiry fretwork and reminding you this is more than just a nostalgia trip. It works: Coxon’s awkward edge cuts nicely against Ash’s wide-eyed, big-sky optimism.
Then there’s the curveball: a cover of “Jump In The Line,” the Beetlejuice party classic. It shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does.
The whole thing feels more varied than you’d expect. One minute you’re bouncing to “Hallion” and “Dehumanised,” the next you’re catching your breath with “My Favourite Ghost,” an acoustic breather that proves Ash can still do tender.
Whatever ‘it’ is, Ash has it in astronomical abundance. Give it a listen. You can thank us later.
Ad Astra is released on 3rd October.
Check out our interview with Tim and Mark from Ash.