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# Album review: Mysterines - Reeling
- URL: https://www.therunningkick.eu/album-review-mysterines-reeling/
- Published: 2022-03-11T14:19:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-11T14:40:37.000Z
- Description: The Mysterines released their debut album 'Reeling'. It's an album full of explosive energy that puts them straight on the road to great success.
- Author: Katharina Sowa
- Tags: Record Room, Album review

> *This article is a repost from my old blog sound-a-word.*

*Yes, yes, yes.* [*The Mysterines*](https://twitter.com/TheMysterines?ref=therunningkick.eu) *released their debut album '*[*Reeling*](https://open.spotify.com/album/1hkGVzxg3aKTSj1B6EMyRh?si=AFR6zNXBSZGoBDdtemLNfA&ref=therunningkick.eu)*'.* 

I'm a fan since the release of 'Take Control' in 2019\. So, I was even more excited about their new album.

And well, what can I say? 'Reeling' puts them where they need to be: on the road to great success.

For the production of ‘Reeling’, the band brought acclaimed producer Catherine Marks (Wolf Alice, The Big Moon, PJ Harvey) on board. The album was recorded during lockdown at Assault & Battery studios in London. And it was recorded live to capture the intensity of the songs. You can feel that.

In the band's words, ‘Reeling’ sums up every emotion of the album in just one word. And I think, that's quite precise.

The sound is dark and moody, powerful and energetic. It’s dominated by themes of self-destruction and love. You feel all that pain and anger. And you feel that urge to dive even deeper into these feelings.

The Mysterines have a great knack for melody. Lead singer Lia Metcalfe’s confident attitude is felt throughout the album. Her husky vocals are brilliant but also demanding.

The album is filled with fierce and distorted guitar riffs, moody basslines, and great lyrics. Lia's voice dances so well with the big musical sounds that it generates an intense and electrifying soundscape.

The opener ‘Life’s A Bitch (But I Like It So Much)’ is that force of a rock sound. It's that kind of song you want to shout along with while going wild in the pit. The song sets the tone for the entire album and forcefully demonstrates what to expect.

A highlight is the grunge ballad ‘Dangerous’: “I was riding the fire / I was down on my knees / Before you said that desire / Oh, it’s such a dangerous thing.” Lia’s vocals at the end of the song give you chills. It's a great moment and a great song.

'Means To Bleed' is coming from another resource of power. If there's a song to be played at the gates of hell, then this is the one.

Definitely one of my favourites on that album is ‘The Bad Thing’. It gives you that incredible wow effect where you just want to go wild and sing-shout along. 

On complete contrary is ‘Still Call You Home’, an acoustic ballad and another highlight. A song full of rawness and emotion. It's one of the oldest songs on the record. Lia wrote it when she was 18 and going through a hard time. The song was recorded at the end of the day when the band had spent most of it recording 'The Bad Thing'. You can feel the exhaustion, but I think that does the magic trick. ‘Still Call You Home’ was done in one take, with one mic and no overdubs. The result is epic.

'The Confession Song' is a song - well, guess what - about a list of confessions. It's a slow song with added piano, in which different parts play together at the same time to create dissonance. It sounds weird and brilliant at the same time. The result is a big sound that makes it the perfect closer for the album.

'Reeling' is an album full of explosive energy. It's relentless, dark, and loud. But also filled with sensitive reflection and uplifting ear-worm melodies. You'll want to listen to it over and over again.

The Mysterines have set the foundation for their future, certainly very successful, career. I can’t wait to hear more from them!