Emerging from the disarray of the pandemic’s early days, Manchester’s These Dead Machines unveil a debut album that stands as a profound statement of intent. ‘Any Minute Now’ sees the project rise from the dissolution of a former band to one with a new identity that’s darker, wider reaching, and deeply introspective. Across ten tracks, the album balances heavy alt-rock influences with glitchy electronica and cinematic flourishes, creating a sound that feels as raw as it is refined.
Opening with ‘Subatomic Heart’, the record establishes its central theme of resilience. Fueled by gritty determination and layers of instrumentation, the track sets the tone for an album that doesn’t shy away from heavy emotions. Lead single ‘Phantoms’ stands out with its haunting exploration of grief and longing, blending alt-rock accessibility with a lingering sense of loss. Tracks like the Placebo-esque ‘So Skywards’ and ‘Signals’ grapple with existential uncertainty while maintaining a thread of optimism, demonstrating the band’s ability to juxtapose light and dark with finesse.
While the album leans heavily on introspection, it also delivers moments of catharsis. ‘Illuminate’ channels unrequited love into a Deftones-inspired wall of sound, while ‘Lucky’ wrestles with gratitude and mental health in a way that feels deeply personal and relatable. The closer ‘Long Shadows’, is a poignant reflection on grief and acceptance, its smoky ambiance and nod to Pixies-esque guitar lines leaving a lasting emotional imprint.
Musically, ‘Any Minute Now’ is a masterclass in contrast. The seamless integration of heavy, distorted riffs and delicate electronic beats creates a dynamic listening experience. The production, raw and unpolished in the best possible way, captures the immediacy of live performance while allowing the nuanced compositions to shine.
At its core, ‘Any Minute Now’ is an album about navigating the complexities of human emotion- grief, hope, resilience- and finding beauty within the chaos. It’s a bold debut that solidifies These Dead Machines as a compelling voice in modern alt-rock, blending accessibility with enough depth to reward repeated listens. With this record, they’ve not only risen from the ashes- they’ve set the stage alight.
