Nothing But Thieves: Stray Dogs

After the excellent Dead Club City and its bold pop shift, Nothing But Thieves chooses to glance back in the rearview. Recorded in the very studio where the band first began, the fifth album, Stray Dogs, promises a return to the essentials. But what does it really sound like upon listening?

Reclaiming the Urgency of Their Early Days

Opening with Stray Dogs, it feels as though Nothing But Thieves aimed to move away from the conceptual ambitions of Dead Club City to reconnect with something more instinctive, more immediate. The pairing of the title track and “Testosterone” works especially well, establishing a dynamic that balances tension with raw energy. The band rediscovers that blend of fragility and intensity that has long been part of its signature. Tracks like “AI.Jesus” also rank among the album’s successes. Conversely, the more contemplative and “soft” passages sometimes struggle to integrate fully with the whole, even if “Death In The Backseat” stands out thanks to its driving bass and its more infectious rhythm.

This impulse to return to essentials is also reflected in the themes. Where its predecessor depicted a society numbed by entertainment, Stray Dogs appears more introspective. The lyrics touch on identity, the need for belonging, relationships that leave a lasting impact, and the ongoing, elusive quest for happiness. In this regard, “A Different Kind Of Happiness” ranks among the most striking moments on the record, as does “American Confidence,” whose immediate effectiveness invites near‑constant replay. More personal and often deeper, the album gains depth where it sometimes sacrifices coherence.

A More Uneven Journey Than Expected

Unfortunately, this return to roots is not entirely mastered. After a strong start, the album struggles to sustain its momentum and can feel unfocused at times. The inclusion of “(Archive 76)”, a brief interlude of about thirty seconds placed mid‑album, raises questions about its value and relevance within the project as a whole.

This sense of drift also stems from certain production choices. Connor Mason, whose voice is undeniably one of the band’s main strengths, sometimes seems relegated to the background behind more intrusive instrumental arrangements. This is all the more frustrating because the singer never fully lets loose. One would have liked to hear him take more risks and fully explore the breadth of his emotional range.

That said, not everything should be written off. “I Needed You Then, I Need You Now” perfectly illustrates the group’s capacity to surprise. The effects applied to Mason’s voice (a deeper timbre and perhaps a slightly slower pace) initially unsettle, but then reveal their true merit: they amplify the melancholic, almost ethereal atmosphere of the track. Yet this choice will not please everyone. “#5,” the fifth track on the band’s fifth album, sounds like a moment of clarity and reflection, adding a meta dimension that’s particularly interesting to the whole.

With Stray Dogs, the British quintet delivers a sincere and more personal album than its predecessor. Fueled by particularly inspired lyrics and a handful of standout tracks, it nevertheless suffers from a lack of cohesion and from production choices that can be frustrating. This return to the roots pleases at times, without allowing the group to reach the peaks to which it has accustomed us.

The Nothing But Thieves – Stray Dogs article first appeared on RockUrLife – a rock, metal, alternative, pop, punk, indie webzine.