HIMALAYAS "Bad Star" Gets a Golden Star
HIMALAYAS, Cardiff’s current best and brightest (though equally dark and grungy) rock band, is finally coming out with their second album, titled Bad Star, this week. Their debut album set the tone for what these four young men had in mind for their sound; you can describe a HIMALAYAS song as chalk somehow beautifully dragging down a blackboard with lyrics that remind us of all our favorite Y2K indie rock bands. When listening to this album, you might catch yourself wondering if Alex Turner stole Joe Williams’ microphone during HIMALAYA’s studio sessions. No need to worry, though, Joe is just that good.
It is entirely undeniable that HIMALAYAS has a unique and refreshing sound. This band has perfectly managed to keep up with modern times while remaining true to their own artistic intent. The previously released–and most popular–single Thank God I'm Not You radiates the individuality this group intends to establish. The band gained well-deserved traction since their debut with From Hell To Here, and even had the impressive opportunity to collaborate with AC/DC’s Brian Johnson on their track V.O.V.
The opener Beneath the Barrel is peak Arctic Monkey nostalgia, kicking us off with sounds we definitely do want to hear–despite the lyrics painting the opposite story. The track starts off slower than what you might expect from the boys behind HIMALAYAS; an eerie melody accompanies deftone-esque vocals before transitioning to the more bone smashing familiar sound this band became popular for. This exploration of sound plays perfectly with the broader vision HIMALAYAS had for the album; new noises accompany the nerves of a band at the very beginning of their musical journey.
Pre-released single Cave Painting’s name alone is worthy of drawing new listeners in, but the sound gets you fully hooked and ready to add this song to your playlist. A theme of evolution persists. Joe speaks about the feeling that he, and whoever is addressing in the song, are “not the same we once were”. The melody proves the power of this song without the lyrics, yet the lyrics reflect more on the painful path one must necessarily traverse, as well as the remorse behind inevitably being “haunted” by the forever altering experiences one must collect in order to build a stronger resistance to suffering.
Track No. 5, titled Heavy Weather, is thematically consistent while offering a new blend of influence and uniqueness for this record. With a sprinkle of moody Radiohead, this song is phonetically well worth your while, thanks to the lingering stunning bridge, which is entirely wordless yet undeniably moving. The lyrics are well connected to the aforementioned tracks: this song is about the overwhelming speed of change and a sense of failure in keeping up. Stagnation seems inevitable for John in this track, yet he hungers insatiably for the future he feels is long lost due to his inaction.
On the note of failing to secure a worthy future, Afterlife kicks off with the beat of a furiously faltering heart–it’s always impressive when artists manage to create a story (whether entirely intentional or not) through a drumbeat alone, and is even more stunning when this story is perfectly suited to the selected title. Here again, Joe talks about the lack of a future, and naturally, also a total loss of hope. His only anticipation? A “new sorrow”, importantly characterized by a suggested Afterlife.
Twisted Reflections begins to wrap up the storyline behind this album. After the funeral that was Afterlife, a sort of “rebirth” occurs in this second-to-final track. This new life comes about despite Joe expressing the genuinely inescapable feeling that he is “too late”. He does however most importantly note that this unsureness could be totally detached from reality. His doubt for the truth is construed by morphed self-perception. The antagonist remains unclear by name and vague in personality throughout the album, suggesting the pain being experienced is only self-inflicted.
A Brand New God, with its smashing symbols to gritty strutting guitar, is an almost perfect ending to a really solid album. The three main themes persist–fear, a need for control with full rejection of pushback, and fleeting hope. Perhaps the band, lost in the darkness of the vulnerability and weight behind the start of a relatively new artistic project, drew some inspiration from this track with the need to establish a brand while feeling equally restricted by any decisions made. Nonetheless, this conclusion is not void of hope and still feels human and raw.
The band HIMALAYAS continues to carry the crown of integrity in art. The album Bad Star is a great addition to your 2025 crash-out soundtrack; the storyline itself holds your hand through all stages of grief, no matter what modern issue you might be experiencing. Whether it's realizing self-discovery is hard, feeling more and more distant from your situationship or generally just angst, HIMALAYAS have got you covered.
This album is particularly remarkable for its remarkable capability to embrace our ugliest rage, fear and doubt while also knowing that time continues onwards. It's always (like the track from their debut album) Darkest before Dawn.
Form your own opinion and take a listen to their freshly released album:
REVIEW BY
Giulia
As the world seems to hurl past me, I find myself compelled to catch up. A way to stay present for me is by appreciating art, from fashion to cinema to music. This means making art accessible and thus engaging readers, as sharing my love for culture is one of my greatest passions in life.
Photos by
Title & Picture 3: Andy Ford
Picture 4: Ashlea Bea
