Richey Edwards' Words Fuel Manic Street Preachers' New Sound

The Manic Street Preachers have released a new album that revitalizes their sound, built around lyrics from founding member Richey Edwards. Edwards' official status was changed to "Presumed Dead" in 2008, with his disappearance in 1995 remaining a mystery. His lyrics, gathered in a folder given to bandmate Nicky Wire prior to his vanishing, are featured on every song of this new, ninth album. The band's family has supported their continued work, setting aside royalties for Edwards.

This new record is seen as a return to form, echoing their 1994 masterpiece, The Holy Bible. The album art is by Jenny Saville, who also contributed to The Holy Bible. Music was recorded by Steve Albini, creating a "nasty and tangled" sound that includes interstitial sound clips. Tracks like "Peeled Apples" and "Marlon J.D." are highlighted as particularly hard-hitting.

While most of the album is characterized by heavy rock, some tracks offer gentler moments, such as the title track and "Facing Page: Top Left." However, some songs, like "William's Last Words," sung by Nicky Wire, are noted as weaker points. Despite these minor flaws, the album is considered the band's best in a decade, driven by a renewed sense of purpose and the powerful legacy of Richey Edwards' words.