Divorce - Drive to Goldenhammer - Album Review

I've been planning to review more music since the reviews I posted of Franz Ferdinand's The Human Fear and Mogwai's The Bad Fire. I loved the new album from Squid called Cowards—it's odd, and dark in context but with really interesting bright-sounding noises and strange lyrics. Very proggy too. I also love the new Japanese Breakfast album and the new Courting album. For today's review though, I wanted to talk about Divorce's debut album Drive to Goldenhammer.

I actually have a big stupid grin on my face writing about it. I really love it, and Ruth loves it too.

About Divorce

Hailing from Nottingham, the band comprises Tiger Cohen-Towell (vocals and bass), Felix Mackenzie-Barrow (vocals and guitar), Kasper Sandstrom (drums), and Adam Peter-Smith (lead guitar and synths). The band have referred to their sound as alt-country/grunge-ish and have described themselves as "Wilco meets ABBA"—descriptors that only tell half their sonic story.

They've known each other since they were 16 through the thriving Nottingham music scene, though Divorce came about in 2021. Cohen-Towell and Mackenzie-Barrow had been performing as a duo and are the driving force of the lyrics and chords, and then flesh out and develop the songs with Smith and Sandstrom. Sandstrom is still a member of the Nottingham, post-punk band Do Nothing.

Getting all that out of the way, down to what is the most important thing—the music. I'd heard the band before a few times and thought they were "okay," but nothing special. However, I was still intrigued by their album, and I'm glad I gave it a chance because it's just splendid. The alt-country tag is one I am always a bit wary of, but I'm pleased to say that while it never steers far from their country roots, there's more to the Divorce musical palette. Hints of folk, grunge, blues, garage rock, and everything in between are thrown into the mix, and it really does work. That's what makes this so special. It's not just a debut album, but a mission statement of intent. If this is the first chapter in the Divorce story, I'm excited to see the full tale play out.

An album is about identity, belonging to something or somewhere we call home, and the feeling of the journey of getting there rather than the eventual destination. The "Goldenhammer" of the title is a fictional place that is a blend of their childhood memories and stunning East Midlands scenery.

From the opening laughter, gentle chords, and vocal interplay between Cohen-Towell and Mackenzie-Barrow in the Simon and Garfunkel-esque Antarctica, there's a strong charm that runs throughout the album. The band clearly have no qualms about having fun and showcasing their sense of humour in their approach to telling stories, sharing emotions, and composing memorable songs while wearing their influences alongside their hearts on their sleeves.

Lord continues the journey with a Springsteen/Waits-style piece that has stunning, if a little bizarre, choruses that include the lust-fuelled line, "I’m a seahorse and I need a little sugar." Then Fever Pitch comes along with a more up-tempo rocker of a chorus.

Karen feels as much like a homage as a dissection of Karen Carpenter's troubled experience as a much-loved and worshipped singer-songwriter who was often misunderstood. Cohen-Towell's vocals are especially stunning on this one.

Jet Show picks the pace up a little with a great groove and intriguing lyricism from both Mackenzie-Barrow and Cohen-Towell. I thought it was interesting that Jet Show led into Parachuter, which is one of the most emotional tracks on the album, given the aviator theme to both songs.

All My Freaks is next and is one of the songs that anyone familiar with the band before listening to the album is likely to have heard as it was a single. An upbeat, synth-laden ode to friendship and finding one's own tribe, it is one that will definitely get crowds jumping as the band inevitably climb up the bills on festivals over the next few years.

Hangman is an affectionate and poignant reflection on the ups and downs, the highs and lows of Mackenzie-Barrow's time as a support worker.

Lines like the following are particularly heartfelt:

"If you need me to be kind, I will be so very kind

If you need me to be selfless, I will shuffle through the mess"

and

"I care about you already, I wanna lift you up, I wanna lift you up."

Pill sees Divorce's playfulness with structure combine with some of their most vulnerable lyrics, reflecting Cohen-Towell's love for Glasgow and their own sexual awakenings, for a highlight in an already perfect collection. A song about one of life's most intoxicating drugs, love.

Old Broken String feels familiar but carries the wit of this modern generation of storytelling songwriters—fiddles, folky and rootsy.

Where Do You Go is another highlight that showcases the power of Cohen-Towell's voice as it cracks with vulnerability in the choruses. A slow but persistent song that builds and builds. To close out the album, Mercy is a pretty little ditty that feels like the perfect bookend.

Full Tracklisting

1. Antarctica
2. Lord
3. Fever Pitch
4. Karen
5. Jet Show
6. Parachuter
7. All My Freaks
8. Hangman
9. Pill
10. Old Broken String
11. Where Do You Go
12. Mercy

Final Verdict

This is more than just a great and daring debut album—it's a great and daring album in general. Divorce already sound like they're at the height of their creative powers, and they've only just started. There is a confidence, charm, and identity that makes this album such a breath of fresh air. They are not afraid to push boundaries, to experiment, and to diversify while retaining the core driving forces that make their music so intrinsically them.

Highly recommend it and feel it's already a strong contender for best album of the year.

The album was released on March 7th, 2025, through Gravity Records/Capitol Records UK.

Thanks for reading!