Strange Life. Howling Bells

It was 20 years ago that Howling Bells released its debut album, 'Howling Bells'. Three albums followed but after 2014 things went quiet for the originally Australian band. Recently, vocalist/guitarist Juanita Stein, her brother and guitarist Joel Stein and drummer Glenn Moule reformed and started on a path that resulted in the release of Strange Life on 13 February 2026.

Strange Life is an album that shows different facets of the band. From the indie rocking opening song and the first Howling Bells song ever on WoNoBlog, 'Unbroken', to a dreamy song providing the album's title, 'The Looking Glass', Howling Bells delivers interesting songs that are somewhere in between the two.

Vocally, Juanita Stein cam measure herself to the likes of Blood Red Shoes' Laura-May Carter and Wolf Alice's Ellie Rowsell. She has that same quality to remain tranquil in the middle of an (alternative) rock storm. She is the eye of the hurricane around which it all evolves. I notice being attracted to her voice the whole of the time. Not that I do not hear the rest, far from. The music is very present. Stein's voice is mixed right in the middle of my ears. That makes her ultra present.

As an aside, singer Juanita Stein can be found on this blog, as in 2017 and 2018 Erwin Zijleman reviewed two solo albums. The hiatus of twelve years were not a step back from music for her. I can't recall taking a listen. If an album doesn't reach me, it is near impossible to catch up later (for artists I do not know).

Photo: Rob Loud

On Strange Life Howling Bells can rock. Even in a dirty way. 'Sweet Relief', is the tenth song on the album. Although Juanita Stein sounds like her sweet self, for most of the time as she has different timbres to her voice, the band rocks out, with distorted guitars and all. The final song is like cat, nails clawing into your skin. Just three songs before the band is purring like a happy cat, in a smooth sounding ballad, 'Dreamer'.

It shows the different sides to Howling Bells that together make for a very strong album. It took the band 12 years to make a new album. The wait was worth it. I'm a lucky one, as I did not have to wait that long, being new to the band. It does give me the opportunity to start listening to the output of the past. Strange Life is one of the albums that make the musical year 2026 worthwhile already.

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