Album review: STAR CIRCUS – From The Wreckage

July 25th, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Renaissance Records [Release date 13.06.25]

There’s a big debate going on about the use of AI and whether it compromises modern music making and musicians. After a lifetime of exposure to classic rock I for one am receptive. Time and time again I hear the same chord structures, the same motifs, the same references to other artists.

We don’t chide countless bands for plagiarising the past so why should it be any different with AI? The technology is getting so refined, incorporating AI fairy dust in future musical works will be as seamless as using ProTools and CGI. And no one ever complained about that. It could be a generational thing?

My guess is that if bands don’t embrace AI they are going to be disadvantaged, even ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus is a convert in terms of an aid to songwriting.

With the market ultimately flooded with AI bands will still need a USP, so an engaging front-person, dexterous instrumentalist or impressive stage show will still be relevant.

Which brings me to Star Circus. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this album, it’s just that we’ve heard it all before. The band is based around a duo – Dave Winkler and Sophie Aurelia Young – and guitarist Winkler handles the lead vocals. Sophie only sings a lead vocal on ‘Masquerade’; to these ears she’s under-utilised in that department. Perhaps she could have at least provided more of a USP…

Opener ‘Over And Over’ could be Pat Travers in the late-1970s replete with the mandatory frenetic guitar break. ‘Chained To You’ is perfunctory hard rock of the Cheap Trick persuasion and ditto ‘The Wreckage’. Jason Ritchie reviewing the band’s debut in 2022 noted “… classic 70s pop rock sound of Cheap Trick with a dose of power pop…”

‘One Hit Wonder’ is lyrically interesting and reminds me of the sort of thing Cats In Space might do, but of course they unashamedly ape the likes of ELO and 10cc. ‘Turn The Tide’ has a memorable chorus with a middle-eight echo of Coldplay. ‘Destiny’s Door’ is a dead-ringer for Europe via Thin Lizzy with a hint of Toto. ‘Two Odds Make An Even’ recalls Squeeze. And so on…

If you like decidedly retro stuff, classic rock almost by numbers, Star Circus will trip your switch and you certainly can’t knock it. Others might clear the decks for AI. ***1/2

Review by David Randall

Album review (Separate Sides, 2022)

UK Dates

03.10.25 – Cornwall Rocks Festival, Tencreek Holiday Park
11.10.25 – GODALMING, Borough Hall (Supporting Brave Rival)
16.10.25 – NORWICH, The Brickmakers (Supporting Brave Rival)
18.10.25 – ALDERSHOT, The West End Centre (Supporting Brave Rival)
06.11.25 – DERBY, The Flowerpot (Supporting Brave Rival)
14.11.25 – Rockmantic Weekender, Yardbirds Grimsby
07.12.25 – STAINES, Thameside Tap House and Brewery (Supporting Brave Rival)
18.12.25 – LEIGHTON BUZZARD, The Library Theatre (Supporting Brave Rival)
21.12.25 – HASTINGS, The Carlisle (Supporting Brave Rival)

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Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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