Review

Blindness sees The Murder Capital pushing the boundaries of post-punk into an expansive, atmospheric territory that’s as dark as it is beautiful. Released on 21 February 2025 via Human Season Records, the album was recorded in a swift, three-week session in Los Angeles under the watchful eye of Grammy-winning producer John Congleton. Congleton’s influence is evident throughout, lending the record a dense, textured sound that balances raw energy with meticulous production. From the opening track, Blindness delivers a series of brooding, intricate soundscapes, where rumbling bass lines and urgent guitars coexist with moments of eerie calm. The band’s Dublin roots remain palpable, but here they’ve matured their sonic palette, weaving in layers of melody that invite closer scrutiny. Lyrically, the record grapples with themes of isolation and introspection, capturing the disquiet of modern existence with a poetic sensitivity that feels both timeless and distinctly contemporary. Critics have noted that the album’s debut at number seven on the Official Albums Chart in the UK is a testament to its resonance with listeners, a remarkable achievement for a record that dares to be both challenging and deeply affecting. Blindness is not an album that offers easy answers or immediate gratification—it requires engagement and rewards it with an emotional depth that lingers long after the final note. In a musical landscape often dominated by fleeting trends, The Murder Capital remind us that there is still immense power in raw, honest artistry.

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