If you look up the definition of Power Pop in the dictionary, it simply says “Listen to Eureka Machines!” Ok, so I lied, it doesn’t say that, but it should. I can’t think of a band that deserves that title more…ok, I lied again, there may be a few come to think of it. But I digress, Chris Catalyst’s self-proclaimed “silly little band” from Leeds have a new album to plug, it’s their 6^th and the first in 8 long years.

There’s something comforting and reassuring about the dawn of a new Eureka Machines album. You sorta know what you are going to get: sonically seductive earworms with layers of vocal harmonies, joyous compositions with a handful of choruses that will embed firmly in your brain, resisting the urge to be forgotten. It’s a tried and tested format that the band have been bouncing around since their inception, and it works.

With artwork that looks remarkably similar to Aerosmith’s ‘Permanent Vacation’, we dive right in with the opening title track. ‘Everything’ is an energetic song with big hooks and an even bigger production courtesy of go-to-guy Dave Draper. There are vocal harmonies in abundance and big, fat guitars to satiate the metalheads. What’s not to like here, are you smiling yet?

Next up ‘Back In The Back Of Beyond’ was the first single released at the tail end of 2024 and is a typical Chris Catalyst anthem that channels 90’s Brit Pop melodies to the max. That chorus will get you hook, line and sinker. Do anthems come any better in 2025 I wonder? ‘Black & White’ could be Silver Sun, it could be Honeycrack, it could even be Squeeze. It’s got an epic chorus section, a euphoric middle 8 and guitars…did I mention the guitars?

3 songs in and you could say I’m enjoying the ride. There seems to be a theme going on here, and that theme is ridiculously catchy choruses. But it seems Eureka Machine haven’t even got going yet, as the opening chorus refrain of ‘Canaries In The Coalmine’ is sublime. As instant as a cuppa soup and twice as tasty, I’ll wager you’ll be singing that hook for weeks, just like I have. A glorious song that demands its rightful place in amongst the Eureka’s greatest hits. It’s probably my favourite song right now.

‘If I’m Gonna Fight Myself, I’ll Never Win’ rocks with the proverbial urgency of a true rock n’ roll band on fire, and ‘Nature Nurture’ is a guitar-heavy monster full of “woah-woah” backing vocals and many twists and turns. This marks the halfway point of the album, and I’m not sure if side 2 will be able to compete.

So, flipping the virtual disc and dropping the needle, the emotive ‘Home’ gives a welcome breather from all the high energy goodness. It tugs in all the right places, a sense of yearning and a feeling of camaraderie is created, and all is well in the world. Elsewhere, ‘We Don’t Have Much But It’s Ours’ and ‘The Lovers And The Lost’ just sound like classic songs that have always been with you, and even closer ‘Beautiful Day’ with its extended, chorus refrain doesn’t outstay its welcome, it just sounds like a perfect reprise to end the album on a reflective, yet positive note.

While new albums usually need some time to bed in, it’s safe to say ‘Everything’ is one of Eureka Machines finest moments. It’s certainly up there with killer releases from The Wildhearts, Black Spiders and Ricky Warwick vying for Album Of The Year status so far this year. A homegrown band, who are also completely DIY, flying the flag for British rock music.

I urge you to pre-order this album on the format of your choice, not just because it is a brilliant and essential release, but also because Chris Catalyst will have boxes of them filling up his flat and he’ll need the space!

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Author: Ben Hughes