ALBUM REVIEW: Ash – Ad Astra (Fierce Panda Records)
Two years after the major return to form that was 2023’s Race The Night, Irish trio Ash are back with ninth studio album Ad Astra.
The Britpop-punks seem to be in a rich vein of creativity, as this space-themed record is another fine effort, if not quite reaching the high bar set by its predecessor (reviewed here).
It kicks off with the instrumental Zarathustra, which is basically the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, played on guitar, bass and drums, and sounds like an obvious live intro tune.
Things get underway in earnest with Which One Do You Want?, which has a real Smiths vibe, full of Johnny Marr-like jangling guitar. You half expect to hear Morrissey’s baritone voice before Tim Wheeler’s distinctive vocals come in.
Next up is Fun People, with Graham Coxon from Blur guesting on guitar and vocals. It harks back to Meltdown-era Ash, all gutsy riffs, big hooks, and distorted, often-screamed vocals.
Lead single Give Me Back My World is a power-pop classic, instantly recognisable as Ash, and catchy as anything in their storied back catalogue.
Choosing to call a song Hallion (an Irish word for rascal) gave Wheeler the unenviable task of thinking up something to rhyme with it. He impressively manages stallion and battalion (and could have had galleon), and it’s a catchy enough tune.
Deadly Love is one of those mid-paced love songs Ash seem to be able to write in their sleep. It’s full of subtle keys as well as a shuffling beat from Rick McMurray and a throbbing bassline from Mark Hamilton, and reminds me of their A-Z Singles era, when they released a new 7in every two weeks.
My Favourite Ghost is a lovely acoustic number with yearning strings, but there’s a real change of pace for Jump In The Line, a cover of the ’50s calypso song best known for Harry Belafonte’s 1961 version.
It’s perhaps most famous for being used in Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy horror film Beetlejuice, and here Ash turn in a pumped-up version which will get any moshpit bouncing. It’s frankly bonkers, and one of the album’s highlights.
After that there’s another classic Ash song in Keep Dreaming, while Dehumanised is a swaggering song which reveals itself to be a commentary on what social media is doing to us all.
We’re nearing the end now, and Ghosting sees Wheeler in spectral mood, as well as showing what a damn fine guitarist he is, before epic closer Ad Astra makes its pitch to be considered the standout track here, all sweeping melodies and harmonies, with more added guitar from Mr Coxon, as it builds to a thrilling climax.
Ash are on fire right now, and will bring their Ad Astra Tour to a town near you in November. On the strength of this album, I can’t wait. 8/10.
