David M Rangel / July 22, 2026 / Review
“I Am This Thing” the first song on Robyn Hitchcock’s 25th solo album, The Confuser comes ripping out of the speaker with such a sense of rock ‘n’ roll confidence it practically screams “I’m here. I’m back. Let’s get on with it” The single is just the type of hip British tune that could have been blaring on the radio while driving down the 405 freeway when Los Angeles’ KROQ was still in its pioneer days, bringing alternative music from the UK over to to the states to cut off the proverbial head of tired ass classic rock. It’s an anthem for the cool kids who are “in the know” with the proper amounts of stripped-down punkish style sounds over a bit of Brit-popish sensibility.
Hitchcock is back in typically fine form with his signature brand of colorful art rock giving nods to Syd Barrett-style whimsy, airy atmospherics, psychedelia and sharp-edged rock. He waxes philosophical examining the human condition, his own mortality, different worlds, and all the usual signature Hitchcock musings. For lesser artists, this niche sound and subject matter could become tired after an album or two. But the former singer/guitarist for the criminally, underrated and lesser known band, The Soft Boys, has always brought fresh, clever, perspectives to the fold that are ever evolving.
“Ghost in Sunlight “ is a fitting song for the summer with its hazy, sun soaked sound that creates a slightly lazy, trance inducing cadence which seems like a possible result after spending hours in the most desolate part of a desert. Gillian Welch is a good fit for background vocals to complement a man of Hitchcock’s musical stature.
Fans of shimmering. 90s style indie will find “Breathless” a pleasant trip to take. The Stone Roses-sounding bit of introspection at times flirts with Sgt. Pepper era Beatles while it takes a slow rejuvenation in preparation for what’s to come on the record.
The funkiness of what sounds like a wha-wha pedal seems to pay homage consciously or unconsciously to the late Mark E Smith of The Fall in “Building From The Ruins”. The driving intensity mixed with vocal nonchalance is a prime example of the British surrealism that has served Hitchcock so well in his more than five decades in music.
While he can be quite the chameleon musically, lyrically Hitchcock is able to align his sometimes introspective, sometimes abstract, sometimes absurdist lyrics within number of different sounds within one record. “How to Feel Alright” is a no-frills rave-up straight out of the American rockabilly playbook. It’s a vibe that harkens back to the 50s while still retaining a modern vocal presentation. And “Monday For Me” arguably the most cinematic and happy/whimsical track on the record that gives off a certain something that is just pure Robyn Hitchcock, the least of which are mindbending lyrics and candy sweet harmonies.
Robyn Hitchcock shows no signs of slowing down or lack of evolution, even in his sixth decade veterans status as a musician. The Confuser retains the musical paintings for which Hitchcock has come to be loved by longtime fans. It is also a recording by a man who consistently rewrites his take on “the summer of love“, all the while experimenting with modern musical textures that keep his output new and relevant.
The album is out everywhere this Friday, July 24th, on Tiny Ghost Records. Listen to the pre-released tracks here.
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