Mogwai : The Bad Fire

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Mogwai The Bad Fire review

There’s a special magic in instrumental music. Lyrics can offer poetic depth, but when they’re stripped away a band has the potential to provide something more immersive. The listener is left to their own devices to explore the space the instrumentation offers, to discover and reflect upon what naturally arises. The Bad Fire, Mogwai’s 11th studio album, is a testament to this magic. 

After 30 years of writing and playing together, the chemistry between guitarist/vocalist Stuart Braithwaite, bassist Dominic Aitchison, drummer Martin Bulloch, and keyboardist Barry Burns has only gotten tighter. Mogwai’s blend of shoegaze textures and post-rock arrangements has lent itself to riveting soundscapes encompassing an array of stylistic flourishes and emotionally charged atmospheres, all of which remain intact on The Bad Fire.

“Bad Fire” is a Glaswegian term for hell, and the album’s title is said to reflect the struggles the band has endured in recent years. While the individual members have gone through their own struggles, Burns faced a harrowing health scare involving his daughter. When one thinks of “hell,” they might imagine chaos, but in the case of The Bad Fire, Mogwai offer something more contemplative. Though there are plenty of vibrant moments, there’s a sense of woe woven throughout the album. 

On the album opener “God Gets You Back,” the band set the scene with a compelling blend of synthesizers that sound as if they were drawn from a John Carpenter movie. The track begins with a trickling synth progression joined by layers of drone soon after; these synths create an ominous air, but as more elements stack up, that air morphs, the song shifting into something more melancholy. Mogwai carry that energy into “Hi Chaos,” which features a higher level of intensity in the guitar and drum performances. Along with some nice use of distortion that pops up, it provides a taste of the band’s heavier side.

In typical Mogwai fashion, lyrics on The Bad Fire are scarce; but when they do appear, they provide a strong complement to the band’s arrangements. Take “Fanzine Made Of Flesh” for example, which pairs a somber melody with an exhilarating execution, over which Braithwaite sings, “Is it over when i said? You’ve got to / Losing touch with everything, you wanted / My heart breaks with every beat, you’re missing / Trying hard to find what is, forgiven.”

The at times gloomy air of the record never feels overtly defeating; rather, Mogwai expand on it through various technical approaches. “Pale Vegan Hip Pain” takes on a slower pace, allowing for more of a wandering, pensive presentation, whereas “Fact Boy” makes for a cosmically enchanting work of ambiance. Among this overarching mood are upbeat exceptions like the melodically vibrant “Hammer Room” and rip-roaringly playful sounding “Lion Rumpus.”

As The Bad Fire proves, even after 30 years, Mogwai’s drive is endless. By channeling their trials and tribulations into The Bad Fire, Mogwai has given listeners a work of contemplative wonder featuring atmospheres so rich, you could simply close your eyes, lose yourself and maybe escape your own hell for a little while.


Label: Temporary Residence

Year: 2025


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Mogwai The Bad Fire review

Mogwai : The Bad Fire

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