(4 / 5)
Echo And The Bunnymen make a triumphant return with the new album, “Apples For Isaac” – their first collection of new music in 12 years.
Originally formed in the late 70’s in Liverpool, the band became an integral pillar of the post-punk, alternative/indie music scene with their 1987 release “Ocean Rain”, widely considered a timeless classic.
Despite a rather tumultuous history with lineup changes, the tragic loss of drummer Pete de Freitas and a brief disbandment, the group have continuously released music and toured extensively, cementing their place as one of the UK’s most revered bands.
For this album, original members Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant are joined by legendary Blondie drummer Clem Burke performing on 10 of the 11 tracks here. He sadly passed away in April 2025 of cancer at the age of 70, before the album was finished.
If you had told me this brand new album was recorded in 1985 and not in 2026, I would have believed you and meant it in the best possible way. This record maintains the classic Bunnymen sound; with Will’s bright, cinematic guitars and Ian’s signature gritty vocals. All 11 tracks penned and produced by Ian who also mixed the record, alongside Alan Moulder and Andrea Wright.
There’s no re-inventing the wheel here; it is just the band back to their prime, creating music their fans will recognise and love. Overall the album is high energy – with track seven “An Unstoppable Force”, providing a soothing change of pace as the most stripped back and slowest song on the album.
Will’s guitars and Ian’s vocals are the focal point sonically, but there’s some nice added touches throughout too. The sparkly “I’ll Be Your Sunshine” includes a lovely string arrangement, as does my personal favourite track, the hopeful “The Light That Surrounds You”. There’s even some Madness style sax on the bouncy “Lab Rats Run”.
Overall a fantastic return to form for the Bunnymen that will delight long time listeners, and inspire the next generation to give their discography a go.
It’s probably not going to knock 1984’s “Ocean Rain” [their fourth studio album, which reached # four in the UK chart] from the top spot of their fans’ favourite of their existing dozen albums, but it is certainly an excellent record.
- Echo And The Bunnymen return to London this month for two sold out show at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre [22nd & 23rd] September, and they play Barrowland, Glasgow on 20th & 22nd December].
By Fran Parry
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’
(4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
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