Back in 2020, as the UK sank into lockdowns and life turned surreal, something unexpected began brewing in the heart of Manchester. In a dimly lit bedroom, These Dead Machines—emerging from the dissolution of the band Mark of 1000 Evils—started to come alive. Rising from the ashes, the new band channels something bolder, grander, and all-encompassing, setting aside the limitations of their past sound. Now, after years of honing a new musical identity, they present their debut album, Any Minute Now—a statement of intent that refuses to be ignored.
With an aesthetic that twists and reshapes the edges of grunge-fueled alt-rock, These Dead Machines have created a cinematic, at times darkly psychedelic experience. The sound is familiar yet transformed: the glitchy electronica and heavy rock from previous releases like Recovery have evolved into a new, unified intensity, reminiscent of bands such as Deftones, Death From Above 1979, and Muse. Across its ten tracks, Any Minute Now expertly walks a line between fatalism and optimism, offering listeners a uniquely immersive journey.
The album's lead single, Phantoms, encapsulates the album’s thematic weight. In just three and a half minutes, it dives into the depths of grief and regret, embodying a sense of reaching out to share accomplishments with those who are gone. This reflective depth is matched by the track’s sprawling, sinisterly claustrophobic soundscape, revealing layers of emotional complexity that only grow with each listen.
Through tracks like Heartstrings, Signals, and Long Shadows, These Dead Machines harness a degree of fatalism in their lyricism. Yet, there’s a hopeful balance: the uplifting notes in tracks such as So Skyward, Lucky, and Recovery inject moments of light, showcasing the band’s ability to blend opposing themes. It’s this interplay between the expansive and the claustrophobic, the optimistic and the foreboding, that defines Any Minute Now, crafting a nuanced experience that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
What sets Any Minute Now apart is its accessibility within complexity. Each track draws listeners in with an off-kilter yet encompassing vibe, revealing contemporary themes that resonate long after the album ends. On the surface, Any Minute Now may appear enigmatic, but as listeners journey through its ten tracks, its true beauty unfolds in layers, proving These Dead Machines to be an artist with profound depths and a promising future.
Any Minute Now by These Dead Machines – Track by Track Breakdown
These Dead Machines present Any Minute Now, a debut album that unfolds as an exploration of resilience, loss, hope, and introspection. Each track adds depth to the album's reflective yet powerful tone, blending alt-rock grit with nuanced electronica, and tackling themes from personal struggles to universal human experiences. Below, Any Minute Now’s songs are broken down track by track.
1. Subatomic Heart
The album opens with a song of resilience. “Subatomic Heart” symbolizes survival against the odds—a testament that as long as you’re here, there’s hope. This track diverged from previous full-band work, sparking curiosity in crafting solo sounds, marking the genesis of These Dead Machines.
2. Phantoms
Following Subatomic Heart, “Phantoms” is the album’s most infectious track yet also its most introspective. Tackling themes of grief and remembrance, it explores the ache of shared memories with loved ones no longer here. This track embodies a poignant balance, expressing gratitude for their presence while contending with loss.
3. Hello World
Inspired by impending fatherhood, “Hello World” reflects the anticipation and trepidation of becoming a parent. Hopeful for his children’s future, the lyrics convey both the joy and anxieties surrounding mental health and the challenges of navigating a complex world. A raw, personal track that reveals both light and shadows.
4. So Skywards
“So Skywards” contemplates the ‘what ifs’—missed opportunities and paths untaken. With a longing for a different outcome, the song captures the universal search for resilience and perspective amidst life's hardships, encouraging listeners to look beyond their current circumstances.
5. Heartstrings
In “Heartstrings,” we find a bittersweet reflection on unfulfilled promises and potential. Here, love and reality clash, highlighting the gap between what could have been and what ultimately never was. The track dwells in that liminal space of hope and yearning, wrapped in a melancholic yet relatable tune.
6. Illuminate
“Illuminate” begins with a gritty bass riff reminiscent of Bjork’s “Army of Me” and takes a tonal nod from Deftones and Glassjaw. The track dives into the pain of unrequited love, portraying the confusion of feelings when someone brings light into your life, even when the connection is ultimately unviable.
7. Signals
A shift to electronic beats marks “Signals,” with layered bass creating a dark and murky soundscape. The phrase “didn’t you ever wait for the end of the world…’cause it’s over” encapsulates a search for hope in a turbulent world, embodying a determination to find positivity even when everything seems bleak.
8. Recovery
Already released as a single, “Recovery” fits seamlessly into the album’s introspective tone. It carries an influence from The Cure, blending claustrophobic verses with a touch of raw emotion. This track opens doors to deeper, darker sides of thought, shaping a soundscape that resonates with the album’s themes.
9. Lucky
“Lucky” delves into the struggle of mental health and gratitude. Despite recognizing reasons to feel grateful, intrusive thoughts about past failures or perceived faults often eclipse positive feelings. The track wrestles with the mind’s tendency to dwell on negativity, a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for balance.
10. Long Shadows
The album closes with “Long Shadows,” an answer to “Phantoms” that leans into acceptance of grief and change. Inspired by a smoky club vibe and featuring a guitar line that subtly nods to the Pixies, this track reflects on learning to live with loss, offering a fitting end to the album’s emotional journey.
Any Minute Now is a compelling debut from These Dead Machines, crafted with nuance, vulnerability, and resilience. With themes that resonate on both personal and universal levels, this album invites listeners to dive deep, revealing layers of sound and meaning that reward each subsequent listen.
