ONLY THE POETS - AND I’D DO IT AGAIN
Capturing the utter complexity that is romance in 2026 is no easy feat – but Only The Poets have seemingly trapped the prayers and confessions of any rocky relationship within their debut album And I’d Do It Again, launching them further and faster than any of their previous work had the guts to do.
The dynamic four-piece alt-pop band fronted by singer/songwriter Tom Longhurst hail from esteemed Reading, and have previously released one EP, One More Night and several singles, but And I’d Do It Again has something their previous work was lacking in – edge. The pulsating, volatile production of the album thrums throughout, creating an overall concept that is both exciting and unexpected from Only The Poets. Even the titular track is something entirely new – a short, dreamy melody that feels experimental but fascinating all the same, and a captivating opener for a debut album.
As the album moves forward, their production gets tighter and glossier – and therein lies their chosen second single ‘You Hate That I’m in Love’, a standout ball of energy that, besides conjuring up visceral visions of early The 1975, weaves in a playful, tongue-in-cheek storytelling aspect to the album via synth-driven melodies and energising production. Longhurst’s electric vocals shine here, highlighting both his exciting talent and his attempt at showcasing the album’s utter ache to be performed in stadiums. This indie-pop radio style continues to be emulated throughout, and simply sparkles in others on the album, including ‘Emotionally Hungover’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Know’.
The album in its entirety does not attack with full force, however, songs like ‘Madeline’ take the synth-pop driven, mildly narcissistic, narrative established and ease themselves into a slower, more intimate reflective style. The writing on these feels especially raw, even in simple lines such as “Honesty kept in a bottle / I’ll drink it down, hard to swallow / Now you’re a victim of my fear of being alone”, Only The Poets show that they aren’t afraid of being anything but brutally honest, apologetic or self-effacing.
The penultimate track, ‘I Keep On Messing It Up’ – another one of six singles released for the album – perhaps does the best job at capturing the band’s experience with love, loss and everything in between. Though a little repetitive (optimists will say ‘catchy’), the song serves as a kind of anthem for the utter messiness of love lives nowadays, as Longhurst sings “I keep on messing it up / Keep holding on, when I know it’s wrong / I keep on messing it up / So scared to leave but it’s killing me” – a sentiment shared by many.
The final standout, ‘Guess She’s Cool’, brings back the bounce and buzz the album’s previous tracks have led us to expect, but with a tinge of melancholia – even the production seems a little down on itself, as Longhurst describes the agony of post-breakup regret and shame – “I guess she’s cool / she’s helping me forget about you”. ‘Guess She’s Cool’ works effortlessly as a tie between everything Only The Poets have aspired to convey throughout the album, and completes the overarching narrative explored throughout; Love is messy, love is frustrating, love is brutal – and sleeping with someone else doesn’t always help. Not outside of the moment, at least.
Sarah Milligan
★★★★☆