Five years in the making and a name change along the way, Brake Loose finally arrive with “Frenetic”—and while the build-up may have been slow, the five tracks here are anything but.
Opening with “Dancing On The Red Line”, the band wastes no time diving headfirst into a retro-soaked, synth-laced groove that wears its ’80s influence proudly. It’s all big hooks, neon energy, and a chorus that knowingly tips its hat to the era it’s channeling.
“Treat Her Like A Rose” shifts the gears. Frontman Alex Murillo—of Venezuelan descent—still echoes the spirit of Ian Astbury, but there’s a buzzing, youthful energy here that’s very much their own. It’s darker, more urgent, but no less infectious.
“Love On Fire” is where things get serious. It struts in with arena-sized ambition and enough sleaze to make your speakers blush. Songwriting partner David O’Grady lets loose on the fretboard with soaring solos that feel built for stadiums—or rooftops in November rain. Yet despite the nods to classic rock grandeur, the riffs crunch with a modern bite.
Then comes “Kiss Kiss Bye Bye”, which veers confidently into goth territory. It’s dripping in black eyeliner swagger, but just when you think you’ve got it figured out, it takes a sharp left turn into something raw, primal, and untamed. It’s this wild unpredictability that sets Brake Loose apart—they’re not chasing trends; they’re carving out their own space.
And then there’s “REBEL REBEL (Evil Like The Devil)”. All capital letters, all attitude. It’s the band’s mission statement wrapped up in three and a half minutes of glorious defiance. They aren’t here to be palatable or polite. They’re here to be loud, proud, and unapologetically excessive.
Because that’s what rock ‘n’ roll should be. Not neat, not tidy, and certainly not moderate. “Frenetic” is the sound of a band throwing caution to the wind and diving headlong into the chaos. If you’ve got it, they’ll flaunt it. And if you don’t? Well, Brake Loose probably don’t care.
Bring it on.
Rating 8.5/10
