Pendulum’s first album in 15 years, Inertia, showcases their evolution as a band and true mastery of drum and bass.
Australian drum and bass band Pendulum have long been trailblazers in the music scene for their fusion of hard rock and electronic elements. Their early music was monumental, putting them on the charts and expanding the genre’s reach to new audiences. Fifteen years have passed since their last full-length album, Immersion, dropped back in 2010. Pendulum have now released their fourth studio album, Inertia, and it was worth the wait.
Inertia‘s creative journey was a long one in the making. Pendulum’s lead singer, Rob Swire, took to his Instagram stories to explain how the album took more than five years, underwent over 1,000 demos, and was overseen by four different management companies as well as two record labels.
According to Swire, Inertia resulted from “a lot of heartache, doubt, regret, spite, disappointment and excitement.” But he continued, “I’m happy it’s finally out there as one body of work. I hope you agree that we saved the best for last.”
Inertia is an exemplary selection of songs grounded in Pendulum’s signature sound while also showcasing their evolution as a band. It is an eclectic composition of sixteen tracks, featuring several high-profile artists like Bullet For My Valentine, AWOLNATION, and Wargasm.
Many of the songs have been released in EPs or as singles already, with only “Archangel,” “Constellations,” “The Endless Gaze,” and “Cartagena” featuring Scarlxrd premiering for the first time. “Archangel” and “Cartagena” harken back to the band’s classic sonic style, brought to life by Swire’s distinct voice and emotive lyricism. Meanwhile, “Constellations” and “The Endless Gaze” serve as interludes that bridge the high-octane first half of the album with the more introspective songs closing it out.
Even with much of the album released in advance, the configuration of tracks into one cohesive body of work delivers a rewarding listening experience from start to finish. Inertia is a fitting title for an album that evokes the urge to dance from the first drop. “Driver” kicks the album off on a powerful note, setting the tone for it to lean into more aggressive soundscapes than previous efforts.
One immediate standout on Inertia is “Save The Cat,” whose kick drums are reminiscent of hard dance, and which sees Swire experiment with screaming vocals. Other noteworthy tracks include “Halo” featuring Bullet for My Valentine and “Louder Than Words” with Hybrid Minds. The two sit on opposite sides of the musical intensity spectrum, with the former characterized by the smooth, atmospheric melodies of liquid drum and bass, while the latter leans fully into the chaos of metalcore. Both songs encapsulate Inertia‘s musical range as well as Pendulum’s versatility as artists.
With fifteen years between albums, Pendulum’s Inertia proves why they are still considered one of the greats in drum and bass to this day. It is rooted in their innovative, rock-and-roll-infused DnB sound that we know and love, but with a modern feel. As Inertia’s release was met with excitement and joy, here’s to hoping their next album is closer on the horizon.
Stream Inertia on your preferred platform, and dive into the sonic journey of Pendulum’s long awaited new album.
Stream Pendulum – Inertia on Spotify:
Pendulum – Inertia – Tracklist:
- Driver
- Come Alive
- Save The Cat
- Archangel
- Nothing For Free
- Cannibal (ft. Wargasm)
- Constellations
- Halo (ft. Bullet For My Valentine)
- Louder Than Words (ft. Hybrid Minds)
- Napalm (ft. Joey Valence & Brae)
- The Endless Gaze
- Guiding Lights (ft. AWOLNATION)
- Colourfast
- Silent Spinner
- Mercy Killing
- Cartagena (ft. Scarlxrd)
