Artist: The Pixies
Album: The Night the Zombies Came
Release Date: October 25, 2024
The Night the Zombies Came sees the Pixies at their best, combining sharp wit with a darker edge as they explore themes of alienation, survival, and resilience. The album mixes raw energy with the Pixies’ unique brand of surrealism, resulting in a record that’s as haunting as it is engaging.
The opener, “Primrose,” introduces listeners to an eerie atmosphere, with a slow-burning intro that builds tension before breaking into a dynamic blend of fuzzy guitars and driving rhythm. “You’re So Impatient” is a punchier track, with Black Francis’s vocals leaning into frustration and urgency, bringing a sense of chaos to the album’s early moments.
“Jane (The Night the Zombies Came)” stands as the thematic heart of the album, blending dark storytelling with infectious hooks. The song introduces the character of Jane, caught in the middle of a surreal, zombie-infested landscape—a fitting metaphor for the album’s examination of both societal and personal upheaval.
Tracks like “Chicken” and “Hypnotised” bring in the Pixies’ signature offbeat charm. “Chicken” has an almost playful absurdity, while “Hypnotised” lures listeners in with a hypnotic rhythm and haunting, chant-like lyrics. “Johnny Good Man” and “Motoroller” pick up the pace, channeling an energetic punk influence that brings a biting, sardonic edge to the album’s darker themes.
“I Hear You Mary” slows things down, adding a haunting emotional depth to the album with softer vocals and a nostalgic undertone. It serves as a moment of reflection, balancing the album’s intensity before diving back into tracks like “Oyster Beds” and “Mercy Me,” which keep the tension alive with edgy guitars and lyrics that seem to blur the lines between reality and nightmare.
The album’s final stretch—especially “Ernest Evans,” “Kings of the Prairie,” and “The Vegas Suite”—brings in a wider, cinematic quality. “The Vegas Suite” closes the album with a multi-part structure that feels almost like a journey in itself, combining haunting melodies and lyrical storytelling to wrap up the album on a haunting, ambiguous note.
With The Night the Zombies Came, the Pixies deliver an album that’s equal parts horror, humor, and introspection. It’s an intense ride through a shadowy, unpredictable world—one that feels strangely relevant yet timeless.
This is the Pixies at their most creative and boundary-pushing, making it a standout addition to their discography.
Score: 4 / 5
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