The Dust Coda - 'Loco Paradise'

At the centre of the album, ‘Come the Night’ is a poignant tribute to the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. There’s no mistaking the lyric, ‘the brightest spark is gone, we still sing Everlong’, and fans of the much lauded and missed percussionist will undoubtedly be moved. It’s a track that feels truly heartfelt and ultimately more uplifting than sad, thanks to bursts of heavy guitar that sit in place of a chorus. Though there is talk of ‘catching restless tears’, the idea that the ‘spirit never dies’ is evident in Scott Miller’s thunderous drumming. Here’s hoping the sentiment attracts some of the Foo’s massive fan base, and highlights a band who deserve just as much success. 

Where many albums tend to be front loaded, ‘Loco Paradise’ finds real momentum in the second half. The aptly named ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise’ storms in with plenty of attitude after the slow burning ‘The Streets’. A real contrast to the prevalent acoustic numbers, ‘Paradise’ explodes with a dynamic riff courtesy of Adam Mackie and sounds confrontational, the aural equivalent of squaring up for a fight. Continuing in a similar vein, ‘Free All the Dancers’ grooves on a rumbling riff that feels dangerous, edgy, like something Slash might be proud of. Drake’s vocals are particularly startling here, stretched to the top of his range in the best possible way. But The Dust Coda are not afraid to mix things up, and by the time the song fades away the pace has changed again. Similarly, ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ may have you fooled, initially a reflective ballad (and nothing to do with the Rainbow track!) it is cleverly transformed, Tony Ho’s low and dirty bass groove and an unexpected riff elevating this to something really special.  

‘Loco Paradise’ suggests The Dust Coda have lost none of their mojo; allow London’s finest take you to Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise with one of the best releases of 2023 so far.