Album review: MAXIMO PARK – Nature Always Wins

MAXIMO PARK – Nature Always Wins

PIAS, Prolifica [Release date 26.02.21]

Maximo Park have been around since 2001, now releasing their seventh album ‘Nature Always Wins’. Although I had heard of Maximo Park I had not heard much by them and that I have swiftly rectified after listening to this simply wonderful album.

But first a little background to the album, one of many recorded during lockdown and now seeing the light of day. As frontman Paul Smith notes “I’m so happy we were able to make this album during lockdown, as it’s been a challenging time for everyone. After almost 4 years since Risk To Exist, we wanted to explore new musical territory (for us) without sacrificing our trademark melodic twists and heartfelt lyrics.” The album title hints at the themes contained within with a nod to the famous Nature vs Nurture debate.

Produced by Atlanta-based Grammy-winning producer Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter), the album was recorded remotely across Newcastle, Liverpool and Atlanta.

Maximo Park know how to get you out of your chair and bouncing around, just put on ‘All Of Me’ (loving the synth riff on this one) or ‘I Don’t Know What I Am Doing’, what a tune! This is how you do accessible indie pop rock. A song that is made for playing live.

‘Ardour’ gets the musical adrenaline pumping too, with a guest female vocalist, and another possible future single. The hypnotic drum beat and guitar riff on ‘My Baby Sleeps’ is another winner folks! Bit of an 80’s electro retro feel on ‘Meeting Up’. That is the beauty of this album in that it can often sound familiar yet has a new twist on it from the band.

Topical album too, as ‘Why Must A Building Burn’ asks the questions about the Grenfell tragedy in a measured way, similar to ‘The Fire’ by Jamie Freeman, and seeing their merch guy perish at the Bataclan terrorist attack. The relentless expansion of towns coupled with the closure of community hubs like libraries forms the basis of ‘Child Of The Flatlands’, which comes back to the album’s title, ‘nature always wins’.

I rarely award five stars as that album has to be pretty damn fine, all killer no filler as the saying goes. That is true of ‘Nature Always Wins’, a thought provoking and enjoyable album packed full of memorable melodies. Fantastic. *****

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply