Sonics in the Soul

Sonics in the Soul is the tenth studio album by English punk rock band Buzzcocks,[6] released on 23 September 2022 by Cherry Red Records.[7] It is their first studio album since 2014's The Way and their first album without founding member Pete Shelley, who passed away in 2018.[8]

Sonics in the Soul
A black background with black-and-white headshots of the band members and a blue line mimicing an EKG monitor below and a logo and line drawing of a plane above
Studio album by
Buzzcocks
Released23 September 2022
StudioStudio 7, London
Genre
Length35:29
LabelCherry Red
Producer
Buzzcocks chronology
The Way
(2014)		 Sonics in the Soul
(2022)
Singles from Sonics in the Soul
  1. "Senses Out of Control"
    Released: 29 April 2022[4]
  2. "Manchester Rain"
    Released: 2 September 2022[5]

Background

After the death of founding member Pete Shelley in December 2018, Buzzcocks released the single "Gotta Get Better" in February 2020 with guitarist Steve Diggle taking on sole songwriting and lead vocalist duties.[9][10] The Senses Out of Control EP, featuring the tracks "Senses Out of Control", "Carnival of Illusion" and "Hope Heaven Loves You", was released in April 2022, with only the title track making Sonics in the Soul.[11][12]

Largely written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021,[13] the album was recorded at co-producer Laurence Loveless' Studio 7 in London.[14]

"Manchester Rain" was released as the album's second single on 2 September, three weeks before the release of the album.[5]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[15]
Classic Rock[6]
God Is in the TV8/10[2]
IPA Music8/10[16]
ThePunkSite.com[17]
Uncut[8]

Sonics in the Soul received mostly positive reviews upon release. Uncut noted the absence of Pete Shelley's "unique vocal", which they felt is irreplaceable, writing that Diggle has written songs "which sit comfortably within his range, and if there are moments when you find yourself wistfully imagining Shelley singing them, that's testament to their quality." They concluded that "Diggle has brought an unexpectedly emotional, often beautifully elegiac quality that makes Sonics in the Soul relevant and relatable."[8]

AllMusic wrote that Sonics in the Soul "doesn't really sound like a Buzzcocks LP, at least not as we've known them. The songs are short and hooky and played with strength and a certain degree of speed, which suits the group's pedigree, but without Shelley's very distinctive melodies and lyrics that split the difference between wit and anxiety, this sounds like a Steve Diggle album ... That said, if it seems like a Steve Diggle album rather than the Buzzcocks, it's a very good Steve Diggle album."[15]

Power Pop News felt the album contains "undeniably hooky choruses" with "all the energy of the band in it's [sic] heyday despite the slightly more polished sound."[3] Classic Rock called it "a riot from start to finish," saying the band sounded "rebooted and reinvigorated."[6]

Louder Than War was less positive, writing, "By any standards, it's not a great album. It sounds like a Manchester guitar band going thru the motions. ... The tunes are 'OK' at best and the playing pretty pedestrian for pacey pop/rock ... this is now a one-songwriter band rather than having two – and that is why it's a weak(er) album."[18]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Steve Diggle

No.TitleLength
1."Senses Out of Control"2:35
2."Manchester Rain"2:38
3."You've Changed Everything Now"2:57
4."Bad Dreams"3:20
5."Nothingless World"3:01
6."Don't Mess with My Brain"3:09
7."Just Got to Let It Go"2:27
8."Everything Is Wrong"2:56
9."Experimental Farm"3:50
10."Can Your Hear Tomorrow"4:13
11."Venus Eyes"4:22

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes.[19]

Buzzcocks
Technical
  • Laurence Loveless – producer, mixing
  • Steve Diggle – producer, mixing
  • Nick Watson – mastering
  • Keith Davey – design
  • Steve White – photography
  • Chris Metzler – photography
  • Justin Herring – photography
  • Leon Dotmaster – photography

References
  1. Bushell, Garry (23 September 2022). "Buzz built on their heritage: Buzzcocks' Sonics In The Soul". Express. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  2. James, Nick (27 September 2022). "Sonics in the Soul review". God Is in the TV. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  3. Rossi, Richard (8 November 2022). "Buzzcocks' Latest: Still Alive & Kickin' Ass". Power Pop News. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  4. Deaux, John (14 April 2022). "Buzzcocks: Senses Out Of Control, 10" Vinyl EP Review". All About The Rock. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  5. Bestford, Mark (22 September 2022). "News: Buzzcocks Release Video For Single 'Manchester Rain'". Devolution Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  6. Moody, Paul (23 September 2022). "Sonics in the Soul review". Classic Rock. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  7. "Buzzcocks Announce New Album 'Sonics In The Soul'". Clash. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  8. Simpson, Dave (7 October 2022). "Sonics in the Soul review". Uncut. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  9. Blistein, Jon (14 February 2020). "Buzzcocks Unveil First New Music Since Death Of Pete Shelley". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  10. Tucker, Kelly (15 February 2020). "Buzzcocks Release "Gotta Get Better," First Song Since The Death Of Pete Shelley". Mxdwn.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  11. Barnes, Dan (21 September 2022). "Album Review: Buzzcocks – Sonics In The Soul". The Razor's Edge. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  12. Badgley, Aaron (2022). "Spill Album Review: Buzzcocks – Senses Out of Control". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  13. Deming, Mark. "Buzzcocks Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  14. Parker, Sean Bw (8 April 2016). "Legendary Krautrock mixing desk The Plank Relocates to London". Louder Than War. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  15. Deming, Mark. "Sonics in the Soul review". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  16. Welford, Gary (22 September 2022). "Sonics in the Soul review". IPA Music. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  17. Faulkner, Cole (30 September 2022). "Sonics in the Soul review". ThePunkSite.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  18. Babey, Ged (25 September 2022). "Buzzcocks: Sonics In The Soul – album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  19. Buzzcocks (2022). Sonics in the Soul (Album liner notes). Cherry Red Records. CDBRED857.
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