In Ways, the debut album from Brighton based quartet Slung is one of 2025’s biggest surprises. This is an album that covers a lot of ground both musically and thematically. The brilliant thing about this album and Slung as a collective is the deftiness in their songwriting, managing to combine several unique elements to create a rich and diverse collection of songs that somehow manages to feel cohesive and wholly satisfying, taking the listener on a compelling journey through their world.
Katie Oldham is a very gifted Vocalist and lyricist, bringing a lot of heavy topics to the forefront on this album. Opener Laughter is a combative way to kick things off, lamenting on strained parental relationships, while a huge riff rages in the background. Class A Cherry is a sultry and at times insidious sounding number, taking the tempo of the album down but giving the listener above enough breathing room to really digest the lyrics. Matador is as chaotic and violent as the title would suggest and really kicks the album back up a gear, especially in the latter half when they double down and unleash a gargantuan riff that sets the whole thing off.
Elsewhere on the album themes of female commodification are explored on Heavy Duty, a powerful number and one of the album’s standouts with some deeply impactful imagery woven through its lyrics. Nothing Left is an achingly beautiful ballad recalling a moment of heartbreak, loss and all of the associated feelings that go with that. Falling Down closes the album out on a dreamlike, shoegazey note that takes the listener out an emotionally powerful note.
What Slung have done with In Ways is nothing short of a minor miracle. An album that combines many different subgenres, sometimes in the same song, while weaving together songs that no only have strong, impactful messaging in them, but there is real genuine heart & soul weaved into each and every one of them. They even manage to chuck a tongue in cheek moment or two in for good measure. This is one of the most dynamic, confident and affecting records I have heard in quite some time. It will have you banging your head one minute and wiping a tear from your eye the next.
Slung are the real deal. In Ways is an album that will grab you from the very first note and it won’t let go until the very last one. If you have an affinity for alt rock that sounds like Tori Amos fronting Veruca Salt or you just want something you can get lost in and keep coming back to over and over again then Slung are about to become your new favourite band.
In Ways is released on May 2nd via Fat Dracula Records. For more information on Slung including upcoming tour dates and tickets click here
