Album Review Drenge - Strange Creatures
3 StarsMeandering in their own repetition.

Drenge evolved into a three-piece on second album, ‘Undertow’ - a well-executed adjustment, adding bassist Rob Graham to the lineup. Since then, the band have continue to broaden their horizons with each release - from that 2015 second effort to 2018’s ‘Autonomy’ EP - blossoming into a cohesive and well- rounded creative statement.
Indeed, many of ‘Autonomy’’s key characteristics can be found on ‘Strange Creatures’: archetypal riff-rock buffoonery, volatile guitar/drum interplay, Eoin Loveless’ increasingly bizarre vocal presence. But the end result this time around is less enticing, resulting in a plethora of hit-and-miss garage-rock that expands into structurally sloping poetic misery.
Though the riffs are slick and the brooding drum beats roll, there’s an overall directionless quality to ‘Strange Creatures’, finding Drenge meandering in their own repetition.
With that said, it does in fact possess a handful of standout tracks, most notably ‘Autonomy’ - again, a song found on their EP of the same name - and ‘Teenage Love’, which pops and crackles with a bizarre, cyberpunk quirk. As a statement, however, ‘Strange Creatures’ limps and sags habitually, never quite succumbing to Drenge’s wishful potential and ruthless attempts at crafting the idyllic garage-rock their previous releases showcased. It’s a shame when the promise never quite delivers.
Records & Merch

Drenge - Strange Creatures CD
£9

Drenge - Strange Creatures Cassette
£6

Drenge - Strange Creatures LP
£18
More like this

The Japanese House, Jade Bird & Drenge join Tramlines line-up
They’ll join Two Door Cinema Club, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Shame at the Sheffield event.

Drenge dive into ASMR in slimy new video for ‘Never See The Signs’
It features YouTube phenomenon CuteKid4950.

Live at Leeds add Kate Tempest, Confidence Man, Drenge and more
They join Metronomy, Sundara Karma, Dream Wife and a whole heap of other DIY faves on the bill.

Drenge preview ‘Strange Creatures’ with ‘Never See The Signs’
The band’s third album is released next month.