Elbow - Audio Vertigo Echo Elbow EP 5 (Album Review)
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Written by Chris Connor
Released last year, ‘Audio Vertigo’ was an eclectic record that found Elbow at the top of their game, with the contributions of new drummer Alex Reeves worthy of being singled out for particular praise. Following hot on its heels we have the companion piece ‘Audio Vertigo Echo Elbow EP 5’, a collection of tracks recorded during those sessions that will tide fans over until the release of their next full LP while showing off a mix of influences, some expected and others more surprising.
On Adriana Again, Pete Turner’s basslines and Reeves’ grooves are right at the forefront. Guy Garvey’s slightly distorted vocals add to the mood with similarly attuned guitars circling. Elbow may be known for buoyant hits such as One Day Like This, but this a return of sorts to their earlier sound, more propulsive and urgent.
Sober is also driven by bass and drums with an almost funk-like feel to it. Recalling 2017s’ Gentle Storm, it offers a fine contrast to the swagger of Adriana Again and really showcases the variety in their sound.
Garvey’s voice is in fine fettle with a gentler swoon, but he is equally at home with the heavily-manipulated electronics of Dis-Graceland 463-465 Bury New Road, which might be an unexpected direction for Elbow to follow but they make it work in an intriguing segue.
Taken together, this is a fascinating interlude for one of Britain’s best loved indie acts, offering glimpses at a possible future. It will be interesting to see if they come to fruition somewhere along the line, but for now they offer plenty to unpack as a creative exercise in isolation.
Elbow Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri June 13 2025 - CARDIFF Castle
Thu June 19 2025 - TETBURY Westonbirt Arboretum
Fri June 20 2025 - LONDON Hampton Court Palace
Sat June 21 2025 - LONDON Hampton Court Palace
Wed July 02 2025 - MANCHESTER Castlefield Bowl
Thu July 03 2025 - YORK Museum Gardens
Sun July 06 2025 - WARWICK St Nicholas Park
Sat July 12 2025 - TYNEMOUTH Priory and Castle
Thu August 07 2025 - GLASGOW Kelvingrove Bandstand
Fri August 08 2025 - GLASGOW Kelvingrove Bandstand
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
