LOFT - Badges

With the small miracle of “Everything Changes Everything Stays The Same” the Loft name returned to the spotlight, finally finding a more stable place on the label roster that restored Pete Astor and Andy Strickland's band to a place of prominence in that jangle-pop binge that swept through the golden years of new wave. A year on from that fortunate comeback, the band sharpen their weapons for a faster, snappier follow-up: “Badges”.
The rediscovered energy and chemistry provide the backdrop for a decidedly more engaging and direct album. The melancholy is tempered by a pleasantly retro-flavoured drive, a formula that has also won over critics and listeners who hadn't followed the band's two main songwriters through their obstacle-strewn journey.

In this dimension, Loft seem decidedly more at ease, adept at handling the vintage soul of their music ("1955") and ready to dive into the weave of contemporary indie-pop with a touch of healthy recklessness ("C'mon Let's Hear It For The Now") that once again evokes both Go-Betweens and Tom Verlaine. There's no doubt that Loft haven't lost their playful humour (the almost glam-pop of "Sad Comedian"), but it's the synergy between Pete and Andy – this time involved in co-writing – that lends brilliance to the new songs, which also add a clever country touch ("Rob Rides The Sunset"), useful for broadening their listening base.
The lion's share undoubtedly goes to the powerful opener "Happenstance", an old track dug up from the drawer of memories. Nostalgia remains the common thread running through the ten tracks, at times touched by a naïf lightness ("Campervan"), by joyful guitar interplay ("Ex Lovers And Long Lost Brothers"), or by the nod to Auteurs-style indie-pop in "Junk Shop", which offers further reasons for appreciation.

From a purely songwriting standpoint, "Everything Changes Everything Stays The Same" remains undoubtedly more worthy: tracks like "Beautiful Problem" and "Goodbye Saturday Night" punch well above routine. What makes the difference here is the verve and spontaneity the band injects even into the less remarkable tracks. "Badges" nonetheless marks an important step for the group; if they can make the most of their newfound notoriety and their leaders' maturity, this could prove to be a second - or even third - artistic youth for Pete and Andy.

Ride the wave of great music

Add OndaRock to your favorite sources on Google Discover. Don't miss our reviews, milestones and latest news straight in your feed.

Follow on Google

24/08/2026