Photo Credit: Flower Up & Rosie Sco
Words by Kara Evans

Following on from their 2023 ‘Heady Metal‘ EP comes the wildly anticipated debut album ‘Drive To The Goldhammer‘ from the alt country Nottingham quartet DIVORCE– the result, a sonically diverse, euphoric and “no skip” record of tangible optimism, rich with punchy crowd pleasers and bold hearted story telling. Having previously supported fellow indie giants Bombay Bicycle Club and Everything Everything, the band are now on the cusp of their European headline tour, primed to certify themselves as the “ones to watch”.

‘Goldhammer‘, a fictionalised town, is reflective of the Journey the band have taken from their humble DIY beginnings on the secluded midlands music scene as they yearn for a sense of belonging and purpose outside of their motherland. At the bands core is the creative and formidable partnership of childhood friends and collaborators Tiger Cowen-Towell and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow, with Adam Peter Smith and Kasper Sandstrom completing the 4 piece. Together, their compelling songwriting and impeccable harmonies have produced 12 tracks of eclectic style ranging from the dreamy ‘Parachuter‘ to the face melting ‘Jet Show‘ this record is truly an audible feast.

The record kicks off with the solitary ‘Antarctica‘ a song for itself and a track that stands entirely in its own light. Written by Felix after the breakdown of a deeply important relationship, the song acted as a form of meditation to buffer the sense of loss he was feeling combined with the pressures of constant touring.  Having been recently added to the 6 music A list along with future festival anthem ‘All My Freaks‘ it’s a strong contender that sets the tone for what’s to come. ‘All My Freaks‘ is a social commentary piece and self- mockery of the required delusion to succeed as an artist whilst the extravagant ‘Pill‘ is a perfectly ironic composition of sound, steeped in exquisite production that transcends into something highly listenable. 

There is no doubt in my mind that we could be seeing an early top entry for album of the year, a body of work that I firmly believe will catapult them out of the Sherwood shadows and into the limelight.