7/10

Acid Smoothie, as known as multi-instrumentalist and sonic anarchist Paul Dunne, returns with 'Bending', his third full-length album so far this year, and it’s simply a controlled explosion set to music. From the first resonant strums of ‘Bread’, we are drawn into a world where post-rock introspection meets garage-fuelled ferocity.

The lead single 'Talon' sets the tone immediately with its raw and urgent pace, and unapologetically loud atmosphere. The track reverberates with the energy of the garage legends that have inspired Dunne, while retaining a uniquely Acid Smoothie edge. Standout offerings ‘Spud Money’ and ‘404’ balance lyrical wit with sprawling guitar lines, while ‘Proudtooth’ layer chaos atop structure, creating a sound that’s both immersive and dangerously exhilarating.

There’s a sense of narrative progression beneath the mayhem as well. The title-track closes the album with sprawling, desert-bound imagery, blending surreal storytelling with fuzzed-out riffs and layers of sound that feel simultaneously expansive and intimate.

Dunne’s attention to detail ensures that even in the album’s loudest, most chaotic moments, there’s a precision that gives the music weight and direction. It’s a rare balance of wild energy grounded by thoughtful composition.

In a landscape full of polished, predictable releases, Acid Smoothie delivers something raw, inventive, and thrilling. 'Bending' is both a statement and an invitation to embrace the noise, revel in the chaos, and find beauty in the unrestrained.