In a world polarised by brevity and expansiveness, there’s something to be said for concision.
By Graeme Smith
Lights Get Low, the new album from The Regulars, runs for only 21 minutes but there’s a density to its hard rock sound which means that length seem about right. The record walks the tight rope between the 20 second social media attention span and the three-disc ‘just becauses,’ deftly sticking the landing.
We’re no strangers to The Regulars. The Jeff Clarke-fronted, Boxborough, Massachusetts, USA-based act graced our pages in 2023 with their album Opposite Eyes. I was struck at the time by the album’s introspection, describing it as “giving us his unique viewpoint.”
Lights Get Low act as something of a reintroduction for us, as we haven’t featured them since. It also feels like a departure, moving away from the introspection to something a little a little more extroverted.
The album has a frenetic yet melodious start in the form of Impossible. The lead vocals share the spotlight with harmonies by Julia Fernandez-Turk as lively drums set the pace. We get an instant sense that this album didn’t come to play around. It’s offering serious rock and roll.
One thing that’s striking is that an album this concise can be so diverse. The Regulars have been able to blend an impressive amount of style across its seven tracks. We get the energy of surf and garage rock enhanced by indie rock accessibility.
The energy stays high through Crutch and Gotta Wait. Evening Phase is a passionate highlight at the heart of the album. Empty Dose and Carry On give us some ‘90s and ‘00s-style punk rock akin to The Subways or Ash. Petrified Wood offers a softer sound for the album’s final moment. It builds to a powerful, cathartic climax that leaves a lasting impression.
The vocal interplay between Clarke and Fernandez-Turk makes Lights Get Low stand out. A tight instrumental, raw-yet-crafted recording process and plenty of passion make it a solid rock effort. It’s a timely reminder of just what an exciting band The Regulars are.
Since recording the album, the band have moved from studio to live, and I certainly see their energy working well on the stage. If you want to keep up to date with all their doing, including tour dates, you can by following them on Instagram and Facebook.
Lights Get Low is out now, and you can listen to it below.