I was looking forward to that. And I have to say it’s pants. The Primals have lost direction, stumbling aimlessly between their electronic phase and the rock sounds of yore.
‘Beautiful Future’ sounds like Primal Scream went into the studio to re-make ‘Get Your Rocks Off’, the song that established the band’s 1970s-style rock debauchery phase in 1994. Closely modeled on the Rolling Stones, they pulled it off back then with a horn section, backing singers and all the trimmings. This time, there’s little evidence of rock excess. Instead, the album sounds like it was recorded on a laptop.
Listen to ‘Zombie Man’, ‘Micro Hex Blues’ and ‘Can’t Go Back’. All trying hard but going nowhere.
On ‘The Glory Of Love’ the Primals look back at their earliest years. A retro 1960s pop number complete with handclaps and Phil Spector-style melody. That one’s not bad.
The rest of the album stays closer to the Primals more recent electronic phase, making up in attitude what it lacks in substance. There’s a good deal of noise, but few beats to shake your booty.
Apart from ‘Glory Of Love’, I’ve got one firm favourite on this album, however. ‘Uptown’ is a sleeping party bomb that’s just waiting to be released by a remix.
In the end I got bored with the posturing and the tales of urban war zones, suicide bombs and hardcore drugs use. Too much talking about revolution but not enough fire in the music.
So I bought the single ‘Can’t Go Back’ instead. Not for the A-side, but for the cover of Hawkwind’s 1973 hit ‘Urban Guerilla’ on the flip. Produced by the Primal’s guitarist, Andrew Innes, it’s a straight rock cover. No nonsense, just the business. Maybe there’s hope for the next album?
Listen Here to ‘Beautiful Future’ and download tracks from the album from the iTunes store.
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We say: 
