With Come Ahead, Primal Scream return to the sound that rocketed them into legend with 1991’s Screamadelica. Produced by David Holmes, the album brings back that unmistakable mix of soulful, gospel-tinged club psychedelia - a daring mix of groove and deep thought that fans have long missed. But don’t be mistaken, this isn’t a straight nostalgia trip. Instead, it’s a visceral and evolved take on their early sound, grounded in the honest, personal songwriting of frontman Bobby Gillespie.

The songs on Primal Scream’s twelfth album find Gillespie more vulnerable and reflective than ever before. The writing process kicked off in 2019, with the songwriter embracing a new approach. This time he was writing lyrics before melodies, using only an acoustic guitar as his foundation. Fueled by Holmes’ encouragement and the collaboration of longtime guitarist Andrew Innes, Come Ahead took shape in studios across Belfast, London, and Los Angeles. The album, Gillespie says, carries the spirit of “conflict, whether inner or outer.” The title itself, Come Ahead, is a cheeky Glaswegian call to arms, dripping with the kind of “gallus” (boldness) that defines both Gillespie and the band.

Known for morphing sounds as if on a whim, swinging from Stones-style boogie to hard rock and electro-punk, Primal Scream is no stranger to reinventing themselves. This time, however, they’re digging deep into their roots, resurfacing that gospel-psychedelic vibe that effortlessly fused dance and rock back in the day. It’s a sound that helped redefin Britpop and brought the underground acid house to the mainstream.

Bobby Gillespie’s vocals are equal parts confrontational and introspective on songs that genuinely capture his band’s fearless musical spirit. Come Ahead sometimes feels like a battle cry - a potent, almost rebellious return to form that looks back to their most celebrated work without losing the energy and edge that’s made Primal Scream one of the most unpredictable bands in rock. This is the sound fans have been craving for decades - a triumph of groove, soul, and sheer, unabashed attitude.