Kasabian – Act III
Kasabian is one of those bands that you can hardly imagine the British rock scene without anymore, even though the line-up has changed considerably since their early days. Since the departure of former singer Tom Meighan in 2020, Serge Pizzorno has been the undisputed captain of the ship, and with “Act III” he brings a trilogy to a close that he himself describes as a kind of mini-opera, beginning with “The Alchemist’s Euphoria” and continuing with “Happenings”.
The album was originally expected in July, but Kasabian decided to put it back on the operating table for some final adjustments. That delay has at least not resulted in a compromise-free rock album, because “Act III” feels more like a journey through all the directions Kasabian have shown over the years. From guitar rock to psychedelia, dance, electronica and even a touch of hip hop, it all passes in review in less than thirty-three minutes.
“Hippie Sunshine” opens the album with pounding bass tones reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, while “Great Pretender” is instead a sunny, festival-ready summer hit about imposter syndrome, a feeling that Pizzorno says he has carried with him throughout his career. “Superpowers” is perhaps the biggest surprise on the album, with a G-funk-inspired sound that goes back to Pizzorno’s teenage years when he first discovered Snoop Dogg. It is a detour that will not convince everyone, but it does show that the band still dares to experiment.
Between the tracks are three short interludes, of which “mind palace 2m7” is the strangest, a dark ambient atmosphere that in itself amounts to little but in the context of the album does work as a transition to what follows. That is also the core of this album: it is not an album to simply pick out a few tracks from, it works best when you listen to it from beginning to end.
Yet something still feels slightly off. Whereas earlier Kasabian albums such as “West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum” used the danceable excursions as a sweet sauce over raw rock and roll, “Act III” more often feels the other way around, with the danceable side sometimes gaining the upper hand over the recognisable, aggressive energy that the band once became known for. It makes the album pleasant to listen to, but also leaves you wondering what exactly Kasabian now stand for.
It is an enjoyable album, full of energy and with that characteristic Kasabian flavour, but it does not feel like the finale a trilogy deserves. Fans who enjoy the band’s more playful, danceable side will have a great time here, but those looking for the raw rock of old will only find part of what they are looking for. (6/10) (Columbia Records)
