2025 is turning out to be an extremely challenging year as we continue to compile our shortlists for our album of the year selection, as each an every week another release blows us away and heads upwards towards the top of the list. Welcoming the latest to join the heavyweights of 2025 so far, ‘I Beat Loneliness’, is the outstanding 10th studio album from GRAMMY® nominated, multi-Platinum rock legends BUSH.
Fans have only had to wait three years since the release of ‘The Art of Survival’, but they shouldn’t be disappointed with this collection of creations, some of which are possibly the most anthemic in the bands history. Frontman Gavin Rossdale, who has also produced the album alongside Erik Ron (I Prevail, Panic! at the Disco) sounds as vocally good as ever, with many of the tracks feeling like they have been written to shake the biggest arenas around the world. It’s an album that unfolds like a tale of two distinct chapters: the opening seven tracks are an electrifying rush, gripping you from the first beat and leaving you breathless. Then comes a brief lull—just long enough to catch your breath—before you’re catapulted back into an orbit, like being launched sky-high on a slingshot ride.
Check out our interview with Gavin Rossdale here
Opener ‘Scars’ brings Rossdale to the forefront with haunting verses before the band punches hard with the chorus – “Scars are angels written on your body, I forget slowly, forgive last”… the breakdown with tribal drums builds to the anticipation of an epic finale. The title track is even bigger with it driving melodies and Muse-like guitars tones – a festival classic! ‘The Land of Milk of Honey’, released as the album’s second single is another big powerful song with a riff that tears at your eardrums (headphones are a must!) and lyrics that delivers like the defiant anthem of resistance that it’s meant to be: “I see stars when I fuck off the system”.
‘We’re All the Same on The Inside’ keeps up the relentless pace, with an incredible display of power from the rhythm section of Nik Hughes (drums) & Corey Britz (bass) highlighted on another strong track and one of my favourites on this album. ‘I Am Here to Save Your Life’ is another pacy, power number with a slower driving chorus but no less effective. First single ’60 Ways to Forget People’ is simply brilliant, with it’s compact blast of post-grunge energy oozing the tones of gritty guitars from both Rossdale and Chris Traynor. Midway and still no easing off with ‘Love Me Till the Pain Fades’, that blends vulnerability with strength.
‘We Are of This Earth’ gives us a moment to breathe and reflect – a slow, emotive track highlights destruction and love; “Don’t kill me slowly, do it fast”. ‘Everyone is Broken’ continues the reflection of pain and the notable break in the relentless pace from the opening seven tracks and once again we get a more of the same with ‘Don’t Be Afraid’. “Footsteps in the Sand” starts easy but then yanks us out of the stratosphere and slams us back to earth, a sonic jolt that feels like standing beneath a thunderhead as it unloads with fury. The track lashes at your ears like a wild storm battering a brittle shack—raw, unforgiving, and on the verge of collapse. Album closer ‘Rebel With A Cause’ takes us back down gently completing the collection and giving us reason to hit repeat.
‘I Beat Loneliness’ is extremely good – not perfect, with the album feeling a bit off balance, especially with the position of the slower segment of the record. Is it enough to put me off? Hell no! This could very well be one of my favourite Bush album’s to date. Now, where do I get my hands on a vinyl copy? It will be a welcomed addition to my collection!
9/10
1. “Scars” 3:30
2. “I Beat Loneliness” 4:23
3. “The Land of Milk and Honey” 3:15
4. “We’re All the Same on the Inside” 3:21
5. “I Am Here to Save Your Life” 4:09
6. “60 Ways to Forget People” 2:48
7. “Love Me Till the Pain Fades” 4:13
8. “We Are of This Earth” 4:24
9. “Everyone Is Broken” 4:01
10. “Don’t Be Afraid” 5:15
11. “Footsteps in the Sand” 4:01
12. “Rebel with a Cause” 3:18
