“Atmosphere has always been more interesting to me than who can do the quickest solo – I’d rather make people feel uneasy or happy with the parts I play”: After supporting Arctic Monkeys in stadiums, The Mysterines rewired their tones – and abilities

The Mysterines' Callum Thompson and Lia Metcalfe.

When it comes to the difficult second album, most bands look to consolidate everything they’ve learnt up to that point and go one better. But with Afraid Of Tomorrows, Liverpool-based alt-rock quartet The Mysterines did the opposite: they ripped the carpet from beneath them.

They were still teenagers when their “innocent and naive” debut album Reeling was released in 2022. They’ve since toured the States, played stadiums in support of Arctic Monkeys and, as guitarist Callum Thompson says, become different people…