Courting - ‘Lust For Life’ Review: An exhilarating thrill ride of their best work is also their most divisive
Lust For Life is an exhilarating thrill ride for those willing to hop on the bike. It may take a few attempts. But, once you do, you’ll be glad you stuck with it.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Credit: Charlie Barclay Harris 📸
Every time you think they’ll take a breather, Liverpool’s Courting returns with even bigger tunes. ‘Lust for Life, Or: ‘How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story’ is their third album in three years, an unhinged (but impressive) work ethic for one of indie’s freshest new acts.
The record spans eight tracks, each with a diverse identity. It covers partying, romance, drinking, and near-death experiences, blending infectious hooks, playful experimentation, and a dozen genres. From beginning to end, there’s not a dull moment, offering 25 minutes of intense thrill-riding.
For a band that thrives on surprises, this bold new direction is their most divisive yet. From culture-woven hyper-pop to theatrical rock, the group have arrived at a natural crossroads, creating a rip-roaring ride of everything so far and much more. The racing motorcycle on the cover only offers a glimpse into the excitement awaiting.
Lust For Life intricately begins with the strings of Rollback Intro, which contrasts with the finale (America) on New Last Name, a heavy-weight indie rock track. This opening feels picture-perfect, and a scenic way to introduce the stories on the road. Follow-up Stealth Rollback is even further in contrast, a complete slap in the face on first listen. Nothing can prepare you for the hammering drums and bass, before introducing a synth to add balance, as lead singer Sean screams behind it all. If this introduction doesn’t wake you up to the experimental genius behind Courting, what will?
As you quickly reach the middle of the record, you find yourself with some of the punchiest riffs to date, both Pause At You and Namcy are Courting through and through, and are likely the most palatable for surface-level fans. Dig a little deeper, and these are levels above what came before it; still featuring wit and easter eggs. This direct approach comes from their speedy process of writing, as Sean explains; “We wanted to keep everything incredibly direct - to hit everyone in the face and leave.”
Perhaps the loudest on the album is After You, a blow-your-socks-off rock song, bursting with fuzzy riffs, an anthem-ready chorus and classic Courting charm. It’s visceral and shares a similar DNA to Pause At You and Namcy.
Eleven Sent (This Time) takes things down a notch, without taking the foot off the gas. While not the strongest track on the album, it holds up as an interesting addition to their catalogue.
The final pair on the record are the most experimental and surely soon-to-be fan favourites. Lust For Life is a sprawling 6-minute take to our current society told in an epic two-part piece. The first half starts with a soft ballad and jazz, before transitioning into a Brit-pop finale. These leaps from moment to moment are truly a shock on first listen, keeping you captivated for whatever is next.
Murphy-O’Neill explains, “It’s about a credit card scam—it sounds silly, but there’s something really touching about it.”
Likely Place For Them To Be is the big ending of all eight stories, backed by another hard-hitting riff harking back to the likes of Grand National and groovy dance-punk. Everything comes to an abrupt close after a pulse-pounding drum solo. Strings. Then, silence.
What Courting have constructed with Lust For Life is their boldest, and most sonically ambitious record to date. From dance-punk to jazz and indie-rock, there’s a song for everyone. This album is destined to split their fanbase but keeps Courting in control of whatever creative direction they’re already cooking up next.
Lust For Life is an exhilarating thrill ride for those willing to hop on the bike. It may take a few attempts. But, once you do, you’ll be glad you stuck with it. Historically, the bands who are remembered, are those who push the boundaries. Each album is a snapshot, and if Courting keeps up this level of creativity, their catalogue will be phenomenal.
Now, it’s your turn. Give it a spin, and tell us what you think on Insta or X.
Rating: 8/10
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