The Zutons - The Big Decider (Album Review)

Photo: Jonathan Turton

The Zutons, it turns out, don’t do comebacks by halves. After breaking up back in 2009, they came out of the carbonite in 2019 to tour their 2004 debut ‘Who Killed...... The Zutons?’. But one question that hangs over any such endeavour is whether nostalgia might be answered by something new. In their case the answer is yes — ‘The Big Decider’ is their first album in 16 years. Which leads us to another question: does the world need another indie rock band back from the brink?

Well, first things first, ‘The Big Decider’ doesn’t live in the past. Following vocalist and guitarist Dave McCabe, drummer Sean Payne, and saxophonist Abi Harding’s decision to shack up together during lockdown, the Liverpudlians played house at Abbey Road with Nile Rodgers for five weeks. The results? A funk-pop odyssey that trades their indie singalongs for neon dancefloors and melancholic morning after reflections.

For the most part, it feels a little half-baked. Pauline tries to be the new Valerie, marrying Jamiroquai’s acid-jazz enthusiasm with the Bee Gees’ sunny songwriting; In Your Arms languishes in hotel lounges, like a salesman phoning in his latest catch; and Creeping boogies its way to the dancefloor, pining for clubs to come back when they’re, you know, already back.

But once they’ve warmed up, ‘The Big Decider’ gives out the goods. Disappear drips honeyed harmonies into your ears before Harding’s sax shoots off into the stratosphere with a Baker Street-bedazzling solo, finishing with Rodgers delivering one of the album’s most thought-provoking moments: “I’d like to ask you the most powerful question in the universe — why?” 

Elsewhere, Rise jives like a jazz band jumping into life and Best Of Me is how all Sundays should sound, a laidback love-in of trickling keys and playful percussion. Sensual slow-burner Company delicately deals with a loved one lost in depression before the title track swims in a lake of shimmering synths, rippling basslines, and percussive handclaps.

On ‘The Big Decider’, The Zutons prove two things. On one hand, they’ve not lost their songwriting chops. On the other hand, they probably should’ve made an EP instead.

The Zutons Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:

Fri April 26 2024 - LIVERPOOL Liverpool Olympia
Sat April 27 2024 - KINGSTON Pryzm
Wed June 26 2024 - LINCOLN Drill
Thu June 27 2024 - HOLMFIRTH Picturedrome

Compare & Buy The Zutons Tickets at Stereoboard.com.

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