That Ash open this space-themed ninth album with a lark-about synth-rock take on Also Sprach Zarathustra is more fitting than they probably know. Just when Northern Ireland’s premier punk-pop trio should be withering their way through their third decade together, by some sci-fi space-odyssey magic they sound reborn on each new album.
Since 2018’s Islands at least, they’ve been on a tear of futuristic rock brilliance and Brit-Weezer ballast. You’d call it a revitalisation if they’d ever actually lost any of the youthful vigour of 1977. When an excitable young woman introduces the hook-laden Hallion by hyping Ash like they’re the next big thing, they don’t disappoint.
