Review

By Amanda Holborn | 29/04/2026

From the opening bars of “Vegas in the Snow,” comparisons to Arctic Monkeys feel almost inevitable. Whether it’s down to Tom Rowley’s Sheffield accent or the phrasing and delivery of his vocals, the association is hard to ignore. That connection isn’t entirely surprising. Rowley’s former band Milburn emerged from Sheffield at roughly the same time as Arctic Monkeys, and the sonic overlap has always been there. The city’s music scene has long been collaborative, with artists from bands like Reverend and the Makers frequently crossing paths and working together. Rowley himself has spent over a decade touring as a guitarist with Arctic Monkeys, further cementing those ties. Moses and the Drones marks Rowley’s long-awaited debut solo album, with some songs dating back five years. As he told Official Charts’ Max Persad, songwriting has always been part of his life - he just hadn’t taken the final step of releasing anything until now. Reflecting on the album’s release, he admitted wondering why he hadn’t done it sooner. In conversation with Dan O'Connell on Radio X, Rowley explained his preference for smaller venues - places where, as he put it, “you can see the whites of their eyes.” It’s a stark contrast to the scale of Arctic Monkeys shows, where the connection with the audience can sometimes feel distant. The album was shaped in part by producer Loren Humphrey, whose previous work includes projects with Arctic Monkeys, Wunderhorse and Tame Impala. Rowley has credited Humphrey with significantly elevating the final sound. He’s also been involved in recent projects like the Help2 album and is already looking ahead to writing new material. With a handful of tour dates lined up - Manchester (Yes) Liverpool (Sound City) and Glasgow (King Tuts) before joining Inhaler for a few dates in Europe and then back to the UK for Kendal Calling and Victorious festivals. Rowley is stepping fully into his solo career. At 11 tracks and just 37 minutes long, Moses and the Drones is a concise collection of well-crafted songs. Opening track “Vegas in the Snow” sets the tone and includes the album’s title lyric, “Moses and the Drones.” Elsewhere, “Mor” stands out for its playful lyricism Not many people would think to rhyme boogaloo with ocean view, and we’re glad someone has finally done it: “But now the boogaloo has got me coming too / straight out from the bedroom out into the ocean view.” “Rite Time,” at just 2:29, delivers breezy summer energy with slightly cheesy - but undeniably uplifting lyrics. “Tell Me What You Want” leans into a vintage feel, with heavy reverb and vocal tones reminiscent of John Lennon’s solo work, particularly “Woman” from the 1980 album Double Fantasy. A soaring guitar solo adds a strong finish. “Something Strange,” co-produced by Alex Turner - who also contributes backing vocals may not land immediately, but it has layers that could reward repeat listens. Interestingly, Rowley has said Turner’s involvement was informal, with the frontman simply dropping in and contributing ideas. “The Struggle” begins with rough acoustic guitar and self-deprecating lyrics before gradually building into a fuller, more dynamic arrangement. It’s one of the album’s more emotionally raw moments, driven by candid lines and a growing sense of intensity. “I should have warned you / I should have told you that I can be such a miserable fucker / It doesn’t help when, your banging on and on and on / and I couldn’t give less of a shit about what your saying / well I try , I try to be polite / oh but it s hard, sometimes” “Breakdown” feels more like a traditional album track- slightly meandering and perhaps not single material, though it may grow with time. “Ice Cubes” shifts the mood again, offering a slower, late-night feel with falsetto vocals, electric piano, and jazz-tinged guitar textures that evoke a lounge-bar atmosphere. The album closes with “El Chapo,” a single released prior to the album, “The Night” and “Where Did Everybody Go?”—bringing the record to a measured, reflective finish. Overall, Moses and the Drones is a strong debut: thoughtful, occasionally playful, and clearly shaped by years of experience within one of the UK’s most distinctive music scenes.