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Independent artists When Rivers Meet’s new album ‘Rhythm Rust & Static’ isn’t listed on A****n’s UK site on CD, but, and this is an intriguing point: 2021’s ‘Saving Grace‘ is. For the princely sum of £28.84, and that is a second-hand copy. Used. Not new. Capisce? If you would prefer a new copy, please pay £53.74, and it’s yours. Or do what you should always do in these instances: get it straight from the source for £15 unsigned and £20 signed, and support independent artists. The point of all this? It highlights how highly regarded the award-winning husband-and-wife duo Aaron and Grace Bond are. You’re not anybody until somebody has tried to make a killing off your name.
Being signed to a label might seem like the ultimate goal, but ask artists like Mason Hill or Tuk Smith (whose band Biters shoulda, coulda been massive) for their thoughts on labels, and take a step back as they vent (if they are allowed to actually say anything, that is).
Creative freedom without label interference is crucial for an artist, and perhaps if WRM were signed to a label, then they might have gotten some pushback from said label for their steadfast refusal to not go with a carbon copy of 2025’s ‘Addicted to You’, and instead, opt for the grittier, more organic back-to-basics approach that greets the listener on ‘Rhythm Rust & Static’. Considering that ‘Addicted to You’ gave When Rivers Meet their highest ever ranking in the National Official Album Charts (#4), it’s a risky move. But one that pays off.
It’s interesting to note that the first three tracks on ‘Rhythm Rust & Static’ are, in fact, the first three singles to be released from the album, and they appear in the same order that they were released. ‘The Tide Is Turning’ would have been the album opener from the off. Raw, heavy on distortion, with a full-on hammer-on-anvil feel to the hits (similar to those on the smouldering ‘I’m Ready For You’ that appears later on), it’s a powerful way to introduce the album. Dreamy sections peppered throughout, with huge crashes of volume to counteract them; it segues perfectly into ‘The Script’, which continues the raw feel, and it would come as no surprise if Grace was using a retro microphone for her vocals. Fantastic free-for-all on the outro, which should sound massive live. ‘Caught in the Middle’ ends the run of the singles and is the most commercial of the three. Catchy and big on percussion, it has a simple, repetitive chorus that hangs around for days on end.
The pick of the bunch is the longest track on the album, ‘Horizon’. Classic Fleetwood Mac ‘Gold Dust Woman’ vibes, with gorgeous, haunting vocals from Grace during the tender opening stages of the five-minute track, which gradually builds with the trademark When Rivers Meet co-vocals between Grace and Aaron. Once the track hits the midway point, the drums and the entire band come in, with a weeping, lilting guitar tone from Aaron in the background. Take this one to Nashville, and Aaron and Grace could put an extension on Casa Del Bondy. It would be great to hear a version of the track, though, where instead of the band coming in, it stays on the same path that is hinted at in the early stages.
Some fantastic moments in the closing stages of the album. The hard-hitting ‘Uncharted Land’ gets better with each listen, and this one will slap when played live. The Stones-y strut of ‘Fault Line’ is cool. Some killer vocal harmonies, with hooks-a-plenty. Expect some heads bobbing to this one. Ending on the deeply personal and utterly gorgeous ‘Bring Life’, ‘Rhythm Rust & Static’ is the sound of a band doing it their own way, and even with five studio albums in six years, it sounds like When Rivers Meet are only just warming up. They have given themselves a headache, though, as these songs will sound incredible live. What do they leave out of the set? Find out at one of the following shows:
23rd July, Arts Centre, Colchester
24th July, Forum, Tunbridge Wells
7th August, The Witham, Barnard Castle
8th August, The Cluny 2, Newcastle
21st August, Acapela, Cardiff
22nd August, The Boileroom, Guildford
3rd September, The Parish, Huddersfield
4th September, MacArts, Galashiels
5th September, Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
6th September, Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
17th September, The Fleece, Bristol
18th September, Norwich Arts Centre
1st October, Arlington Arts, Newbury
2nd October, Black Prince, Northampton
Tickets www.whenriversmeet.co.uk/tour
Purchase ‘Rhythm Rust & Static’ HERE
Review – Dave
All images – Rob Blackham/Blackham Images
