New Model Army

A lot has happened since NMA released their last album ‘From Here’ in the autumn of 2019, and with the existential crises continuing to mount, their latest release includes stark personal reflections, socio-political commentary, and is loaded with much needed momentum to help carry us forward into 2024 with faith and determination.

Over the last few years NMA have been out and about celebrating their 40th anniversary, including a wonderful collaboration with the Sinfonia Leipzig that when released on DVD last year, rose to number 1 in the live album charts. ‘Unbroken’, their 16th studio album, is released at a time when lead singer-songwriter and founding member Justin Sullivan is pushing towards being 70. Regardless of age, musically, and lyrically, the album carries all the hallmarks of NMA: energy, a strong emphasis on rhythmic drums and bass, and well-crafted uncompromising lyrics from Sullivan. The band called on Tchad Blake to mix the album and the result is something that as said sounds very NMA, but also different enough to stand out from the rest of their back catalogue.

First single ‘First Summer After’, starts as they mean to go on – driving rhythm and an earnest lyric, with this track capturing some transitional moment between one global event and another whilst road tripping across a post-imperial Europe. Second track ‘Language’ cautions against the consequences of how words beget actions and the choices we make. Things don’t let up come third track ‘Reload’ with its anti-imperial rant, crunching bass and guitars. Possibly the angriest song on the album, it does so with a sense of righteousness, and when NMA choose to make a socio-political point, they do so for good reason.

Sullivan is adept at crafting relatable characters and stories and throughout ‘Unbroken’ the lyrics and music conjure imagery of some of our recent turmoil, albeit with a sense of foreboding and a slight ‘I told you so’ sentiment. But all NMA fans will tell you that they sometimes see themselves in the lyrics and with ‘If I Am Still Me’ - possibly the most personal song on the album - it is one which will no doubt resonate.

After 9 pounding rock songs, the penultimate song ‘Idumea’ takes a different turn. Opening with a sentimental lyric and piano, before rolling drums usher in the hopeful line that ‘all things will pass by and by…’ and the longing for a ‘place that we have dreamed and a different kind of justice…’ Before an uplifting choir steps in to carry the song to its emotional conclusion. Whether or not it is a reference to the ancient Biblical land which today is modern day Jordan, or a nod to the 18th century Wesleyan hymn of the same name, there is something apt about what the song has to say as we enter yet another uncertain new year.

For those approaching NMA for the first time, ‘Unbroken’ might feel a little alien and is possibly not their best album to start with. But, for those who are familiar with NMA, they will be well rewarded in giving this album the respect, time, and patience that all their albums deserve. On repeated listens it reveals itself to be a strong addition to their well-respected canon, and one which they will be taking to the road across Europe this coming Spring.