Everyone has their favourites and Harem Scarem have been my favorite Canadian Melodic Rockers for years now. It’s great o hear then that their 16th studio release ‘Chasing Euphoria’ will be out in April to coincide with a European Tour supported by Australia’s Cassidy Paris, and taking in the Frontiers Rock Festival. We’ve already had the single ‘Reviving History’ and if that is anything to go by we were in for a treat…
The title track that opens up their first new album in 5 years is as wonderfully melodic as you would have hoped for. It opens up smooth and melodic and builds towards a chorus that ironically has a dab of Def Leppard in its DNA. It’s a fine construct to get us started and one of my favoutite songs of the year so far.
Watch the official video for “Chasing Euphoria” HERE
‘Better the Devil You Know’ underlines the fact that this is going to be a good one – it’s smooth and as the press release quite rightly says: “(Chasing Euphoria) brings back the band’s classic sound and shows a band at the top of their game. A cohesive unit still able to deliver a power-rock-packed punch, swaggering riffs, and hooks to die for. Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance, without a doubt, show the world that their partnership still works!’ And if anything , that’s underselling it.
As Harry Hess says: “The song “Chasing Euphoria” encapsulates everything about Harem Scarem from the late 80’s to 2025. This is the flagship song from our new record, and we are very excited for everyone to hear it”.
And it keeps on delivering at the highest level: ‘Slow Burn’ picks up the pace and the melody just stays with you. The uplifting ‘Gotta Keep Your Head Up’ is a mid-paced masterpiece, and the beautifully constructed ‘World On Fire’ ebbs and flows and creates a wonderfully reflective moment.
‘In a Bad Way’ is smooth as silk as it stutters towards one of the catchiest choruses here, before first single ‘Reviving History’ scoops you up in its arms and takes you to a better place; but it’s ‘A Falling Knife’ that throws the wild card on the table. It’s a song built around a cool riff and it picks up the pace nicely. It’s the real rocker of the album though still deeply melodic. Hess’s voice has more grit in the verses and it’s one that will sound so cool live if it gets a chance out in the wild!
That just leaves us with ‘Understanding it All’ and closer ‘Wasted Years’ (Not a Maiden cover): the former is lilting rocker that contemplates life and goes down so smooth, and the final track is a contender for the best here. It’s a wonderful ride to the finish line with all that you’d hope from a band like Harem Scarem all in the one song. This really is a glorious record yet again from a band that has always been far superior but sadly just came a little too late to be huge.
This is a wonderful album and another winner from a band that can’t put a foot wrong! Check them on tour in Europe in spring! It’s unmissable!
8.5 /10
“Chasing Euphoria” Tracklist:
1. Chasing Euphoria
2. Better The Devil You Know
3. Slow Burn
4. Gotta Keep Your Head Up
5. World On Fire
6. Bad Way
7. Reliving History
8. A Falling Knife
9. Understand It All
10. Wasted Years
Line Up:
Harry Hess – Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Pete Lesperance – Guitars and Bass
Creighton Doane – Drums
Darren Smith – Lead and Backing Vocals
