Mogwai – The Bad Fire
In the thirtieth year of their existence, the Scottish post-rock formation Mogwai returns with “The Bad Fire,” an album whose title is derived from Glaswegian dialect for ‘hell.’ This name is no coincidence – during the recordings, multi-instrumentalist Barry Burns struggled with his young daughter’s life-threatening illness. What follows is a collection that could be described as ‘PTTR’ (Post-Trauma Therapy Rock) – a genre-transcending journey from darkness to light.
The choice of producer John Congleton proves to be a masterstroke. While their previous producer Dave Fridmann drifted further away from the post-rock sound, Congleton demonstrates here that he perfectly understands the essence of Mogwai. He builds upon the foundation of the near-perfect “As the Love Continues,” but adds his own signature without pushing the band toward the polished productions of contemporary indie rock. The raw energy he previously captured with bands like Explosions in the Sky and Sigur Rós finds a new form here in Mogwai’s characteristic sound palette.
The album opens with “God Gets You Back,” a track that starts as a whisper but grows into a hurricane of sound. It is a perfect introduction to what is to come – an album that constantly balances between intimacy and overwhelming force. The band navigates these contrasts with an elegance that only comes with thirty years of experience.
The highlight of the album is undoubtedly “Pale Vegan Hip Pain,” a track whose title alone perfectly captures the band’s tongue-in-cheek attitude. But behind that title lies a composition that trembles like a young leaf in a harsh wind – fragile, introspective, and indescribably beautiful in its vulnerability. It is precisely these moments where the healing power of music becomes tangible.
As the album progresses, the band shows a surprising accessibility. Tracks like “Hammer Room” and “18 Volcanoes” prove that Mogwai, perhaps mellowed over the years, can produce radio-friendly material without losing their identity. A development that will undoubtedly strengthen their presence on festival stages this summer. “Hammer Room” in particular surprises with its almost cheerful piano arrangements, a rare moment of unfiltered optimism in the Mogwai universe.
The seven-minute odyssey “If You Find This World Bad, You Should See Some of the Others” forms the emotional core of the album. It is a track that reinvents the essence of post-rock for a new generation of listeners, complete with Mogwai’s signature build-up from a subdued beginning to an overwhelming climax.
“The Bad Fire” is an album that primarily pushes the band forward. While some veterans cling to tried-and-true formulas, Mogwai dares to experiment within the boundaries of their distinctive sound. For the dedicated listener, a new path unfolds, paved with familiar elements but leading to unknown horizons.
This eleventh album by Mogwai invites repeated listening, but even more so to experience these tracks in a live setting. The dynamics and layering of tracks like “God Gets You Back” and “Lion Rumpus” promise to evolve live into thundering walls of sound that will shake you to your core. It is a testament to a band that, even after three decades, refuses to stand still – proving that post-rock can still surprise, heal, and connect. (8/10) (Rock Action Records)
