GENRE; Rock
LABEL; Third Man
REVIEWED; 18 November, 2025
RATING; 6.4
Again, the sophomore album from Melbourne’s indie-rock quartet The Belair Lip Bombs, marks a confident evolution in their sound. Released on 31 October 2025 via Third Man Records ; a milestone, as it’s the label’s first Australian release, the album feels like both a return and a fresh leap forward.
One of the most striking things about Again is the way the band, now reinforced by new drummer Daniel Devlin, blends urgency with heart. On the lead single “Hey You,” looping synths underpin a driving pulse, while Devlin’s drumming gives the track an almost theatrical intensity. Similarly, “Don’t Let Them Tell You (It’s Fair)” is an empowering anthem with shimmering guitar licks, capturing a pep-talk energy that’s both defiant and hopeful.
Production-wise, the decision to work with external producers — Nao Anzai and Joe White pays off. Critics note that the band’s sound is now fuller and more spacious, marrying the fuzz and immediacy of garage rock with polished studio clarity. The songwriting also shows maturity: Maisie Everett’s vocals feel more assured, her voice balancing strength and vulnerability, particularly in slower moments like “Burning Up.”
On the other hand, some reviewers feel that while the melodies are catchy and tight, the lyrical content sometimes leans on clichés. According to Pitchfork, tracks like “Cinema” and “Another World” suffer from bland or vague metaphors that temper the emotional weight.
Despite that, the album builds to a powerful climax with “Price of a Man,” an intimate yet anthemic closer that many critics see as the emotional core of Again. And for a band navigating their second album, especially under the spotlight of a notable label, The Belair Lip Bombs make a persuasive case: Again is not just a rehash of their debut Lush Life, but a refined, widescreen indie-rock record that signals they might be poised for wide recognition.