Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

The Breakdown – All I Know (2023)

When we left UK-based band The Breakdown, they were sharing insight into the scary world of modern dating with ‘This Rigged Machine’. Unafraid to gander at all areas of life and the human experience, the lads shake down the best, worst and most tolerable aspects of life – like modern dating. Skip ahead a few months and The Breakdown is back with their latest single ‘All I Know’ – another intriguing gaze at the big world of romance.

If you aren’t particularly sure who The Breakdown is, well you haven’t been like us obsessively following these lads. Sounds a little creepy for sure, but I promise I am no stalker; I’m just inclined to follow amazing bands. Combining their natural skill for music, Mike Connell (vocals), Andy Strevens (guitar), Richard Gale (guitar), Michael McGuiness (bass) and Toby Young (drums) find their place within the insatiable realm of rock.

Slithering through several styles of rock from various decades, The Breakdown binds together elements of indie-pop with a heavier rock flavour in their melodies. Unlike the harder ‘Jump The Shark’ and ‘This Rigged Machine’, ‘All I Know’ shows a more soothing, mellifluous albeit harder sound. It appears more sophisticated with seamless arrangements, so perhaps it is a new direction for The Breakdown. Guitarist Andy Strevens explains:

“With ‘All I Know’ we feel like we’re taking a big step forward, maturing as a band. It’s definitely more evolution than revolution which is fine by us – it’s keeping things interesting.”

Produced by Strevens, the new single brings the band’s signature indie sound; however, the reminiscence of 80s rock is more evident than before. For me, and this is entirely my opinion, Connell’s vocals insert a sense of David Bowie’s glamour into a charming melody. The pounding drums and bold bass flow with a powerful underlying rock, but it is the scorching guitar solo that enhances a classic rock fixture. A real jump back to the 80s, yet a contemporary alternative rock flair exists.

Taken from their album This Rigged Machine, ‘All I Know’ is a masterful sonic representation of the frustration, anxiety and vulnerability felt when a cherished relationship begins to unravel.


For more from The Breakdown, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator


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