Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Cast are celebrating 30 years as a band by building up an impressive momentum. Fresh from the high of supporting Oasis on their UK tour, the Liverpool band follow up Love Is The Call from 2024 by renewing their acquaintance with Youth, who produced that album.

What’s the music like?

Affirmative, upbeat and positive! There is a swagger to John Power and his band that really suits them, and Youth has added a low-slung funk that they rarely had even in their mid-1990s heyday. Now they have gone with both barrels on production, adding spiritual undertones to the early Primal Scream groove of 2, then packing in the harmonies and distortion on single Poison Vine, where P. P. Arnold adds a thrilling top line and Jay Lewis a fulsome bass.

John Power’s vocals are also a strong feature, lending songs like Free Love an extra dash of feeling. Say Something New is typical cast – straight to the point, but with the added bonus of one of the many catchy melodies this album holds. At the other end, Way It’s Gotta Be is entirely bass-driven, reeking of Second Coming-era Stone Roses – in a good way. As if that isn’t enough, Weight Of The World has an excellent chorus and Birds Heading South is a warm-hearted closing track.

Does it all work?

It does. Yeah Yeah Yeah is no-frills and all the better for it!

Is it recommended?

If you like Cast, then this is a no-brainer, and if you’re approaching from the direction of early 1990s Manchester, then it’s also a recommended stopping point. John Power sounds more confident than ever, and the ten songs here are guaranteed to raise the mood, as Cast continue to strengthen their hand.

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,784 – Saturday 31 January 2026