8/10

There is a point in every great guitar band’s journey where momentum alone is no longer enough. The singles become bigger, the crowds grow louder, and eventually comes the challenge of proving there is something deeper beneath the noise. And with 'Here’s to Pretending', London outfit French Dogs rise to that challenge with remarkable confidence, delivering a debut album that expands their sound without sacrificing the urgency that made them such an exciting presence in the first place.

For those familiar with the band’s early material, the restless energy remains firmly intact. The guitars still arrive with sharp intent, rhythms still surge forward with a sense of barely contained momentum, and every song feels powered by the kind of youthful determination that has become increasingly rare in contemporary indie-rock.

But rather than operating at full throttle from start to finish, 'Here’s to Pretending' allows space for reflection as well. The result is a more complete portrait of who French Dogs are becoming. The album explores friendship, commitment, uncertainty, and survival in a world that often feels overwhelming, balancing moments of confrontation with surprising emotional depth.

The explosive opener 'Broken Glass' stands as one of the record’s defining moments. Driven by a fierce sense of loyalty and sacrifice, it captures the band at their most direct and emotionally charged. Its towering guitars and relentless momentum feel built for crowded venues and shouted-back choruses, yet beneath the surface lies a genuine vulnerability that gives the track a lasting weight.

Elsewhere, the album’s title-track reveals a more introspective side. Here, French Dogs trade sheer force for emotional nuance, exploring the fragile compromises that often sustain long-term relationships. The song’s bittersweet perspective gives the record its emotional centre, demonstrating a maturity that elevates the album far beyond a simple collection of anthems.

Musically, French Dogs continue to refine a sound that sits comfortably between post-punk urgency, indie-rock immediacy, and classic British guitar music. The arrangements are lean but purposeful, allowing melodies to cut through the noise while maintaining the rawness that defines the band’s identity.

For a debut album, 'Here’s to Pretending' feels impressively assured. It retains all the fire that first brought attention to French Dogs while introducing greater emotional range and songwriting ambition. More importantly, it establishes them as a band beginning to realise the full extent of their potential.