Demob Happy - The Grown Ups Are Talking (Album Review)
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Written by James Palaczky
Photo: Linda Eklov
Recorded over the span of nine days at the legendary Rancho De La Luna studio in Joshua Tree — home in the past to everyone from Arctic Monkeys and Foo Fighters to Iggy Pop — Demob Happy’s ‘The Grown-Ups Are Talking’ struts with purpose in pursuit of sweaty, whiskey-soaked rock ‘n’ roll.
In a brooding affair studded with addictive, greasy basslines, the Brighton rockers slip, slide and jive across 10 tracks, with a generous helping of sleazy guitar riffs designed to blow out the sturdiest of amps. In its best moments, Demob Happy play with the intensity of the desert sun beating down on your neck.
While their weapon of choice is gloriously fuzzy rock, the dynamic three-piece do generously offer some palate cleansers.
Don’t Hang Up is an album highlight where haunting piano chords rattle through the speakers before trickling down your spine in a desolate, spooky offering.
It is easy to picture vocalist Matthew Marcantonio slamming on his finest Ray-Bans, popping his collar, and letting ego take the wheel. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing as he croons into the mic, but elsewhere there are moments that skew derivative. In particular, ‘The Grown-Ups Are Talking’ takes cues from one of Rancho de la Luna’s favourite sons — Josh Homme.
The riffs, the eerie harmonies, and the melancholic party atmosphere have all been done before by Queens of the Stone Age, while at peak swagger Marcantonio calls to mind ‘Suck It and See’ or ‘AM’-era Alex Turner. Then there are the Royal Blood-esque riff explosions. Wearing your influences proudly is one thing, but Demob Happy only get halfway to using them to create something unique.
Undoubtedly, though, ‘The Grown-Ups Are Talking’ is one of the coolest records you’ll chance upon this year. It is unfailingly suave and possesses enough grooves to get the hardest of hearts racing and yet, in almost the same breath, it can feel tired and stale. If only it came out 10 years ago — what a time that would have been.
Demob Happy Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed April 22 2026 - NORWICH Arts Centre
Thu April 23 2026 - BRIGHTON Concorde 2
Fri April 24 2026 - LONDON Garage
Wed April 29 2026 - BRISTOL Thekla
Fri May 01 2026 - SHEFFIELD Hallamshire Hotel
Sat May 02 2026 - GLASGOW Audio
Sat May 09 2026 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE THE GROVE
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