Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking (Album Review)
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Written by Katie Macbeth
Manic Street Preachers have continually evolved throughout a decades-long career, choosing to step around the pitfalls waiting for bands who are happy to rely on past successes. Duly, their 15th album houses critiques of the modern world while questioning the purpose of art and their own continued relevance.
The Manics’ refusal to stay in their lane is a key aspect of their longevity and ‘Critical Thinking’ continues this trend, moving ever further away from their raw glam-punk origins. The album kicks off with the scathing title track, where Nicky Wire lists overly simplistic slogans — “It’s OK to not be OK,” “Live your best life,” “Be kind” etc — above a pulsating beat and resonant bass.
He delivers each one with enough sarcasm to make it easy for listeners to visualise his disdain and the track culminates in a powerful declaration: “Imposter syndrome? Fuck that!”
It’s a bold start, hinting at a darker, more industrial direction, but that is quickly dispelled by the infectious energy of lead single Decline & Fall, which evolves into an intricately-crafted pop-rock anthem.
Underneath its buoyant melodies lies a poignant sense of resignation. “I know our time has come and gone,” James Dean Bradfield sings and yet, in a moment of reflection, the band find solace in the tangible remnants of the past, evoking imagery of the “dry stone walls” that stand as reminders.
In a world increasingly defined by ephemeral digital experiences, ‘Critical Thinking’ highlights the significance of genuine connections. Brush Strokes of Reunion discusses the profound influence of art through an inherited painting, celebrating creativity’s enduring power. Meanwhile, Dear Stephen evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and emotional resonance by seeking to understand the hold the past has on us, and the relationship between artists and their art, through the image of a postcard the teenage Wire received from Morrissey at the height of The Smiths’ fame.
The album reaches its conclusion with OneManMilitia, a visceral diatribe delivered with fervour by Wire. “I don’t know what I am for, but I know what I am against,” he snarls, embodying a defiant spirit that refuses to yield. It’s a powerful moment in which the Manics remain strikingly relevant, their voices echoing with urgency. ‘Critical Thinking’ is testament to the band’s enduring influence and unwavering commitment to confronting the challenges found in the world around them.
Manic Street Preachers Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri April 11 2025 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Sat April 12 2025 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Fri April 18 2025 - LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Sat April 19 2025 - LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Fri April 25 2025 - WOLVERHAMPTON University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall
Sat April 26 2025 - BRISTOL Bristol Beacon
Fri May 02 2025 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Sat May 03 2025 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Fri May 09 2025 - SWANSEA Swansea Arena
Sat May 10 2025 - SWANSEA Swansea Arena
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