THE VOLTAROL YEARS

With their fifteenth studio album, The Voltarol Years, Half Man Half Biscuit continue to cement their reputation as one of the UK’s most idiosyncratic and enduring rock bands. Released on 25 February 2022 via their own R. M. Qualtrough label, this marks the band’s first release since the retirement of Geoff Davies, the founder of Probe Plus, and the closure of the iconic label. If there’s a sense of nostalgia surrounding this release, it’s not just for the label that once nurtured them, but for the very essence of the band itself.

Known for their razor-sharp wit, cultural references, and a knack for transforming mundane subjects into high art, Half Man Half Biscuit have always defied easy categorisation. The Voltarol Years is no different. From its tongue-in-cheek title to its skewering of modern British life, the album feels both timely and timeless. Over the course of its tracks, the band delivers their signature blend of sardonic humour and insightful commentary, wrapped in a lo-fi, rock-infused sound that remains as distinctive as ever.

What stands out most on The Voltarol Years is the band’s continued ability to observe and reflect, whether it’s in the playful absurdity of their lyrics or the way they twist familiar themes. While the album may not break new ground in terms of musical direction, it’s a solid continuation of the Half Man Half Biscuit sound that fans have come to know and love. The usual mix of jangly guitars, driving basslines, and the deadpan vocals of frontman Nigel Blackwell are present in abundance, paired with an infectious energy that hasn’t diminished despite the passing years.

The album’s title, a nod to the anti-inflammatory drug Voltarol, seems to encapsulate the band’s approach—an ironic, sometimes sardonic remedy for the aches and pains of modern life. For a band that has always prided itself on being outside the mainstream, The Voltarol Years finds them still operating at the fringes, delivering an album that is quintessentially Half Man Half Biscuit: equal parts humour, pathos, and satirical bite.

With the closure of Probe Plus marking the end of an era, The Voltarol Years feels like a reflection of the band’s resilience. It’s not just a reminder of their lasting legacy, but a continuation of their distinctive musical vision. In a world where so much feels fleeting, Half Man Half Biscuit’s unflagging consistency is something to be celebrated. Fans of the band will find plenty to enjoy here, and for newcomers, this is a great place to dive into the band’s world of quirky observations and biting humour.