The Alchemist's Euphoria

I love that Serge pours his everything into the lyrics. He pulls them from deep inside, and they’re tangible and raw and real … and only a true creative can meld emotion with instrumentals that culminate in melodic true poetry. He isn’t afraid to take Kasabian wherever his emotions and inspiration lead him, and he never sells out by putting forth some contrived commercial garbage because formulaic “music” generates hits. He definitely could’ve raked it in far more by pumping out rehashes of everything off West Ryder (which is unreal!!), but he doesn’t play it safe. Rock isn’t supposed to be safe; it’s supposed to push boundaries, otherwise what’s the point? Serge is a true musician who’d rather be honest with the music he composes, regardless of how it’s expected to be perceived. In this day of one hit wonders and few authentic bands, it’s solace that real rock endures. Love this album!

Sergio Pizzorno brings back the synths and beats from the Karloff era- it’s like they’ve been locked away since 2005, just waiting for frontman Tom Meighan to leave and the next permutation of Kasabian to begin. When Sergio stepped up to front the band, he had a very different vision for the future of Kasabian, and with the vast departure (and improvement) in musical style plus the personal nature of the lyrics and theme, The Alchemist’s Euphoria really feels like it’s Sergio’s solo album. I’m sure the band will get a lot of criticism for the complete change in sound, but this new direction is incredible and I love it. The scruffy loud discordant rock has been mostly replaced by heavy club bangers, trippy guitar solos, acoustic ballads, lo-fi indie-pop, early-industrial synths, and soaring, epic singalong anthems, all with perfect catchy choruses. The signature Kasabian straightforward rock is still there, but utterly transformed by synths and layered melodies. The Alchemist’s Euphoria is ready for dance parties, arenas, and headphones. Best album of 2022, hands down.