ALBUM REVIEW: Glow On – Turnstile

TURNSTILE aren’t a hardcore band. At least, not in the widely-accepted definition that encompasses bands as diverse as JESUS PIECE and CANCER BATS. TURNSTILE’s roots are undeniably in that genre but with third album Time & Space they sought to push beyond it; now with their fourth album Glow On, they’ve finally transcended the trappings of genre and blossomed into one of the most exciting and forward-thinking bands in hardcore and rock music. 

That might all sound hyperbolic but one listen to even just opener Mystery, should start dissuading those doubts. Shimmering synths hint at an electro-inspired song but it’s not entirely true; a riff designed specifically to appeal to the lizard brain soon appears and we’re off to the races. Vocalist Brendan Yates strikes a perfect balance between aggression and melody in his tone, with hooks guaranteed to fill rock club and venue floors alike for massive singalongs. 

Blackout deals with the desire for a moment in the spotlight, with Yates declaring “And if it makes you feel alive / Well then I’m happy I provide”. There’s some interesting production choices made too, with handclaps and drum machines laid under the drum kit itself that elevates into poppy territories without sacrificing any punk snarl. Don’t Play initially starts as full throttle hardcore before switching effortlessly into a playful bounce with tom fills while Underwater Boi goes the opposite way into far more relaxed territory with waterlogged waterlogged guitar lines. While many of the songs were already released as singles or as part of the Turnstile Love Connection EP, they feel refreshed, like Holiday that follows the slow, calm Underwater Boi or the pairing of Fly Again followed by Alien Love Call. 

One of the most interesting and standout things about Glow On is the production choices across the record; Holiday has handclaps sitting underneath the snare that give a playful edge, the electro-inspired synths that swell at the start of Mystery and during closer Lonely Dezires. The partnership with BLOOD ORANGE also bears fruit; while the guest appearances on Time & Space could feel shoehorned in to show that the band had connections, here they’re an integral part of songs. Alien Love Call for instance, is blissed out with R&B stylings; it makes use of the two vocalists that refreshes the repeating verses and stops them feeling tired or played out, though Lonely Dezires goes the other way and brings back a snottier, almost post-hardcore vibe that TURNSTILE haven’t touched in some time. 

At fifteen songs, it would be easy for Glow On to outstay its welcome but songs only reach the three minute mark once, keeping things lean. Ideas in single songs are kept simple which is to their benefit; each song is anthemic and instantly appealing, from Blackout to New Heart Design, each showcases another facet of the TURNSTILE experience. Not only does Glow On transcend hardcore to create the most compelling and summery album you’ll hear this year, it may well transform it. 

Rating: 9/10

Glow On is out now via Roadrunner Records.

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