The influence of The Jesus and Mary Chain on Shoegaze, Noise Pop, and the entire Alternative Rock can never be overstated. The psychedelic and psychotic guitar noises beneath the cool and calm vocal interplay of the brothers William and Jim Reid became the template for many bands that treaded similar sonic tracks in the years following the success of the Scottish band’s early albums. That stated, the chaotic but melodic 1985 album Psychocandy and the fuzz-filled melodrama of 1987’s Darklands are regarded as landmarks in the genre. Consistently led by Reid brothers since 1983 when The Jesus and Mary Chain was formed in East Kilbride, Scotland, to date, they released seven albums, with the new one slated to come out on March 22, 2024, via Fuzz Club.
Titled Glasgow Eyes, it is not only their eighth overall studio album, but their first in seven years since 2017’s Damage and Joy. A long time, in hindsight, the highly acclaimed Damage and Joy marked their first studio album in nineteen years. Obviously much more active in this most recent decade, The Jesus and Mary Chain offers twelve new songs on Glasgow Eyes that are bound to interest fans. Opening with the driving rhythm and straightforward attack of “Venal Joy,” the ensuing “American Born” is a sudden change of mood and pace; with its confident swagger and sharp jackhammer punches. This is before “Mediterranean X Film ” then chugs its No Wave sensibilities and, interestingly, ends with a faint Kraftwerkian excursion.
Which leads to the album’s first single, “Jamcod,” which is a trip into Gothic territories, merging dark Electronica and Shoegaze psychedelia. With the angularity of “Discotheques,” The Jesus and Mary Chain then returns you to its Post-Punk roots. Several more fragile and fractured saccharine messes – which include the barbed wire kisses and honey drips of the second single, “Chemical Animal,” the ’90s Depeche Mode–reminiscent “Silver Strings,” and the metronomic allure of “Girl 71.” This is before the Reid brothers finally shut the lids of Glasgow Eyes with “Hey, Lou Reed”; their distortion-drenched homage to one of their musical heroes, the late frontman of The Velvet Underground.
As alluded to, Glasgow Eyes is The Jesus and Mary Chain’s second offering since its resurgence in the late 2000s. A fitting follow up to Damage and Joy, Glasgow Eyes is a great way to celebrate their 40th year. A milestone, there will also be an autobiography called Never Understood: The Jesus and Mary Chain by William & Jim Reid (due out August 15, 2024), plus a major UK and European tour from March into April. In all, The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Glasgow Eyes definitely is a reassertion of the iconic band’s place in the hall of Alternative Rock greats. That is why Cryptic Rock gives the new album 4 out of 5 stars.
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