Technology has changed our world. Don Broco’s Technology is going to change the rock world. The third album from the Bedford boys is a huge leap forward, one that sees them confidently eyeing up the territory of some of the biggest rock groups in the world, from this or any other era. Whereas their previous release, Automatic, was a more traditional ‘big’ rock sound, this one signals both an evolution and a revolution. Taking inspiration from the prevalent big issues of the modern world, topics such as fake news, our growing obsession with social media, racism and depression all raise their ugly heads. Yet, where many others tackle these subjects, Technology elevates them by also containing some bone-crunching riffs and a sleek update of their previous 80s-tinged sound.

The opener is not just the title track, it is a statement of intent. Huge in sound, frontman Rob Damiani railing against Insta-obsession (“Don’t wanna see kissing or puppy love, don’t wanna see waking up in each others arms…I had a friend now he works out, I had a friend can’t put his camera down”) over a suitably punishing drum beat from Matt Donnelly. Follow-up ‘Stay Ignorant’ carries forward Automatic’s 80s sound, combining it with Simon Delaney’s bruising riff. The first half of the album seems to continuously rush onwards without pausing for breath, and the benefits of a much shorter recording period are seen with a lack of fat or fuss. Throughout the record, Don Broco manage to make the biggest subjects simple enough to build huge songs around. Working this time with producers Dan Lancaster (blink-182) and Grammy-winner Jason Perry, there is the definite sense here of a record packed with arena anthems – suitably so for a group that so comfortably sold out Ally Pally last time round in 2017.

With that in mind, Technology cocks an eye at the prevalent stadium bands of our time. Alongside the ever-present Faith No More-style funky bass of Tom Doyle, the sarcastic ‘Come Out To L.A.’ has more than a hint of Linkin Park around it, while ‘Pretty’ has a touch of early Depeche Mode in its synthier moments (though it also contains another crushing guitar performance from Delaney, who has never been better). The most obvious homage, perhaps surprisingly, is to The Joshua Tree-era U2, with ‘Got To Be You’ liberally taking an instantly recognisable journey down a familiar path in its finale. It requires more than a little self-confidence to position yourself amongst this level of band but, in this case, it is justified. There are very few others around currently that manage to successfully straddle so many rock genres as is demonstrated on Technology, yet all the while sounding unequivocally like themselves. They may honour the past, but the future belongs to them.

2018 has already boasted superb releases from Marmozets and The XCERTS in its opening month, and Technology easily ranks alongside them as another sign of a hugely exciting period for British rock music. There is a supreme confidence in the execution, but with it there is a refreshing lack of fear to shine a light on the insecurities that frame our world. Like all good technology should, it takes something you loved and makes it stronger and better – more suited to today’s needs. This is next generation stuff.

Jamie MacMillan

Website – donbroco.com
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