It’s been 8 long years since Basement’s last album, “Beside Myself”, was released to the world. Since then, things have changed massively for the band’s members: Brothers Andrew Fisher and James Fisher are both involved in their own hardcore bands (See Warhead97 and Dynamite respectively), while guitarist Alex Henery is involved in the Post-Hardcore supergroup Fiddlehead. In spite of the numerous gaps in Basement’s touring schedule, and some existential pondering during lockdown that almost saw Henery depart the band, the Suffolk-formed rockers are now playing some of the biggest stages of their careers. Following a sell-out UK tour at the end of 2025, a second headlining slot at Manchester’s Outbreak Festival is now on the horizon, as well as appearing alongside Deftones at All Points East later this year.
With this comes the band’s 5th studio album “WIRED”. An album that serves as a furious reimagining of the unique genre the band has managed to carve out for themselves across their lengthy career, and one that marks a return to their original label, Run For Cover Records, a move that cannot go unnoticed, with the band’s previous experiences with major labels left them feeling suffocated at times.
This return has allowed the band to experiment more, allowing them to thrive without the external pressure to conform. The band have stripped back the recipe, while ensuring to keep the most important ingredients. Ultimately, ensuring that this album is far from a re-hash of what’s come before or a desperate attempt to ride out the nostalgia their discography invokes for so many, but a true evocation of the band’s desired sound.
Despite this new-age Basement approach, opener “Time Waster” is distinctly familiar as it bursts into life. It’s pacy, but perhaps a few notches down from some of the angst fans will be used to from albums gone by. That’s not to say it’s without emotion, however, as Fisher’s vocal delivery is coarse and raw, and beautifully accompanied by the fuzzed guitar that soars alongside.
Lead single and title track “WIRED” follows – With its ferocious riffs and catchy chorus, it’s a song that embodies the band’s live performances perfectly. Meanwhile, the second lead single “Broken By Designer” is a much softer, moodier track, further evidencing the band’s sonic diversity.
Other standout tracks include the bristling “Pick Up The Pieces”, with its bouncy dodgeball-sounding snare cut through by a grungy, snarling vocal delivery by Fisher, who really seems to highlight more of the breadth of his abilities through the record. Meanwhile, “Head Alight” is perhaps one of the band’s more experimental displays, altering the usual delivery from guitarists Henery and Ronan Crix to create this auditory dreamscape that immerses the listener wonderfully.
Album closer “Summer’s End” is the perfect sign off, it’s brimming with an intention and desire to encompass as much of WIRED as an album, and Basement as a band, as humanely possible – and manages to do so incredibly well.
“WIRED” is perhaps Basement’s most focused effort yet, delivering searing highs and delicate lulls that demonstrate exactly why they’re one of the most beloved modern rock bands, and perhaps even one of the most important in recent memory.
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