The Murder Capital return with ‘Blindness’, their third album following the success of ‘Gigi’s Recovery and debut ‘When I Have Fears’. Recorded with producer John Congleton, the record finds the band in renewed and re-energised form as they tackle everything life is throwing at them.
The opening ‘Moonshot’ is a statement of intent, its wiry, angular aesthetic reminding us of Sucioperro or early Idlewild. Frontman James McGovern instructs you to ‘Come on, be that moonshot’ and you’d be a fool to decline. This spunky attitude continues through on recent single ‘Words Lose Meaning’, a post-punk anthem with singalong moments and plenty of scuzz. Relentless drums signal the start of ‘Can’t Pretend to Know’, a song that has paranoia at its heart as James laments on confessions, feeling sick and someone teaching him to write.
Vocals are front and center on ‘A Distant Life’, a song that pinders ‘the price we pay for connection’ over an apt Elastica-esque sound. Loneliness, faith and death all feature prominently on ‘Born into the Fight’, a slower song that finds James figuring out his place: ‘Silence on the waves, ripples made unsure. They won’t have to find you, you’re accounted for’. ‘Love of Country’ is a 6-minute musing on the ‘shattered daydreams’ that the darker side of nationalism can bring about: ‘That empty hearse and let my spirit fly’.
‘The Fall’ and ‘Death of a Giant’ both delve into a stop-start, mathy Biffy-like sound before things settlg with ‘Swallow and That Feeling’. The album closes with ‘Trailing a Wing’, a slow-burner that again finds James looking at how to move on from a difficult situation: ‘It’s fair to say you crawled into my head. Said you can stay at my expense…’
‘Blindness’ is a record that shines a light on the darker elements of the mind and society, but with a raw power that pulls you in and refuses to let you go. It’s a triumph.
Tour Dates
Aus/NZ –
March 31, 2025 – Wellington, San Fran
April 1, 2025 – Auckland, Tuning Fork
April 3, 2025 – Melbourne, The Corner
April 4, 2025 – Brisbane, Brightside
April 5, 2025 – Sydney, Crowbar
April 7, 2025 – Perth, The Rosemount
UK –
April 17, 2025 — Birmingham, XOYO Birmingham
April 18, 2025 — Manchester, New Century Hall
April 19, 2025 — Glasgow, Saint Luke’s
April 21, 2025 — Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
April 22, 2025 — Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
April 24, 2025 — London, Outernet London
April 26, 2025 — Bristol, SWX
EU –
April 29, 2025 – Lisbon, LAV
April 30, 2025 – Porto Auditorio CCOP
May 2, 2025 – Madrid, Sala Copernico
May 3, 2025 – Barcelona, Sala Razzmatazz
May 5, 2025 – Milan, Alcatraz
May 6, 2025 Zurich, Bogen F
May 8, 2025 – Munich, Backstage
May 9, 2025 – Prague, MeetFactory
May 10, 2025 – Berlin, Gretchen
May 11, 2025 – Cologne, Gebaude 9
May 13, 2025 – Brussels, Ancienne Belgique
May 14, 2025 – Nijmegen, Doornroosje
May 15,2025 – Amsterdam, Melkweg- MAX
May 17, 2025 – Paris, Le Trianon
July 19, 2025 – Dublin, Iveagh Gardens
