With Forgiving Spree, Slowly Slowly proves the old adage that quality is always better than quantity. Its nine tracks spanning will take you just a little over half an hour to listen to, but I guarantee you’ll be thinking about them long after the final note.
It’s no coincidence that Slowly Slowly released five singles from this album before its launch. It opens with the title track before moving on to “Gimme the Wrench” and “How Are You Mine?”, all so catchy and crowd-pleasing. You might expect a dip in energy as Slowly Slowly move on to those album tracks, but in all honesty, any song on this album might have served as a single. This is an album that sees Slowly Slowly leaning into their pop sensibilities, unafraid to take inspiration from more commercial influences like John Farnham and Bruce Springsteen. There are more love songs than gritty anthems here. Most songs encourage listeners to sing along, but with the closer “Born Free,” Slowly Slowly shows they have what it takes to silence you. It’s such an epic ballad, stripped back and vulnerable until its dramatic musical and emotional crescendo.
Forgiving Spree is Slowly Slowly’s fifth album and their most accomplished. It sees them taking well-educated musical risks that always land, yet still surprise listeners. They’re stretching themselves musically and proving that just maybe, they can do it all.
Forgiving Spree is out now. Slowly Slowly will celebrate their new release with shows in Europe, the United Kingdom, and here at home over the coming months. Get your tickets now because they’re bound to sell out.
6-9 February 2025 – Party in The Paddock Festival @ Quercus Park, Kanamaluka/Launceston
28 February – 2 March 2025 – Feastival Falls Creek, Jaithmathang Country/Falls Creek
1-2 March 2025 – Yours and Owls Festival, Woolyungah/Wollongong
9 March 2025 – Limestone Coast Beer & BBQ Fest, Berrin/Mount Gambier
14 March 2025 – Academy 2, Dublin
16 March 2025 – Cat House, Glasgow
18 March 2025 – Key Club, Leeds
19 March 2025 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
20 March 2025 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
22 March 2025 – Camden Assembly, London
24 March 2025 – AB Club, Brussels
26 March 2025 – Supersonic, Paris (FREE)
27 March 2025 – Rotown, Rotterdam
29 March 2025 – Artheatre, Cologne
30 March 2025 – Badehaus, Berlin
4 April 2025 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
5 April 2025 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Tarntanya/Adelaide
6 April 2025 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
10 April 2025 – Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
11 April 2025 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
12 April 2025 – Margaret Court Arena, Naarm/Melbourne
Main photo credit: Marcus Coblyn
