Dreams on Toast won’t convert sceptics, but for those who still believe in the power of a killer riff and a sky-high falsetto, it’s proof that The Darkness remain one of rock’s most vital – and fun – bands.

Words by Felix Bartlett | March 25, 2025

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Two decades after storming the charts with Permission to Land, The Darkness return with their eighth album, Dreams on Toast – a riotous celebration of everything that made them glorious in the first place. This is a band still in love with rock’s excess, but now seasoned with wry self-awareness and unexpected detours into country and vaudeville.

From the opening riff of ‘Rock and Roll Party Cowboy’, it’s clear Justin Hawkins and co. haven’t lost their knack for marrying thunderous riffs with tongue-in-cheek lyricism. The track plays like a hard-rock ‘Urban Cowboy’, all Harley-Davidsons and Jack Daniels, delivered with enough swagger to make the clichés feel fresh. ‘I Hate Myself’ follows, channelling the anthemic energy of their early work while adding brassy flourishes that scream late-night Vegas excess.

The surprises keep coming. ‘Hot On My Tail’ swaps Marshall stacks for fiddles and saloon piano, proving The Darkness can do country without losing their edge. Meanwhile, ‘Mortal Dread’ delivers the classic rock punch longtime fans crave, complete with a chorus tailor-made for festival crowds. The album’s secret weapon is its self-deprecating humour – whether it’s Hawkins crooning about failed romance in ‘Cold Hearted Woman’ or narrating a ridiculous rock opera in ‘The Battle For Gadget Land’, the band never takes itself too seriously.

Yet beneath the laughs lies genuine craftsmanship. Rufus Tiger Taylor’s powerhouse drumming and Dan Hawkins’ razor-sharp riffs provide the backbone, while Justin’s vocals remain astonishingly agile. The closing ‘Weekend In Rome’ showcases their softer side, a sweeping ballad that would give Queen a run for ther money.

Dreams on Toast won’t convert sceptics, but for those who still believe in the power of a killer riff and a sky-high falsetto, it’s proof that The Darkness remain one of rock’s most vital – and fun – bands. In 2025, that’s something worth celebrating.

Verdict: 💀💀💀💀

For fans of: Kaiser Chiefs, Rush, Led Zeppelin

Dreams On Toast is released on March 28 via Canary Dwarf and Cooking Vinyl.