‘Strange Life’ represents a triumphant return for Howling Bells, some 12 years after their last album. Amid distorted, squalling guitars, thunderous riffs and swooning harmonies, the Australian indie-rock trio contemplate past regrets and their lives as working musicians. Full of sweeping, psychedelic melodrama and dark romance, the album’s quieter moments also deliver an abrasive update to the ‘60s girl group sound.
The band, who quickly found success upon moving to the UK in 2004, reconnected first via a tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut release before quickly starting work on new material. Solo projects and parenthood during a decade of seismic global political and societal changes have left vocalist-guitarist Juanita Stein, her brother, guitarist Joel Stein, and drummer Glenn Moule older and wiser but still possessing the fire and spirit of their early years.
The album’s title references not just that changed world but celebrates what they call the power and alchemic magic between the trio and a “constant drive to want to take it further.”
That theme of being lost in the dream of making it as a musician is explored in the opening track and lead single Unbroken, while the defiant, grungy Heavy Lifting acknowledges years of tireless hard work, paying your dues and the resilience and confidence you gain.
Explosive anti-war song Sacred Land is the album’s most political moment, confronting Australia’s dark past and the tragic plight of its indigenous people. Dreamier moments such as Angel, which musically updates Blondie’s In The Flesh, Looking Glass and Dreamer are equally effective, while the shimmering Chimera is particularly beautiful.
But the bittersweet ‘90s pop song Melbourne, reminiscent of The Sundays, is this album’s heart. It finds Juanita returning to Australia on a solo tour, missing the smell of Eucalyptus trees, but discovering the city she knew has changed now that everyone’s moved away.
It was here she took a call to say her father’s health had deteriorated. Weighed down both with grief and an unused suitcase full of tour merch, she attempts to book an emergency flight back to London, uncertain whether she will ever return. The penultimate track, Sweet Relief, is the album’s weakest moment, a plodding glam rock number, but they sign off with the rousing Britpop of Light Touch. A welcome return.
Howling Bells Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu March 12 2026 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Think Tank?
Fri March 13 2026 - GLASGOW King Tuts
Sat March 14 2026 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Sun March 15 2026 - MANCHESTER Deaf Institute - Music Hall
Thu March 19 2026 - NOTTINGHAM Bodega
Fri March 20 2026 - CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
Sun March 22 2026 - PORTSMOUTH Wedgewood Rooms
Tue March 24 2026 - LONDON Oslo
Thu March 26 2026 - BRISTOL THE FLEECE
Fri March 27 2026 - STOKE Sugarmill
Sat March 28 2026 - SHEFFIELD Hallamshire Hotel
Sun March 29 2026 - NORWICH Adrian Flux Waterfront Studio
Thu April 23 2026 - BRIGHTON A L P H A B E T
Fri April 24 2026 - BIRMINGHAM Dead Wax
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