The Western Front

There cannot be many albums that have remained on the shelf for almost 40 years before finally seeing the light of day. The obvious comparison is Brian Wilson's long-lost 'Smile', although that was delayed by the complexity of its recording and only became possible to complete decades later. 'Eureka', by contrast, sounds as though it has been lifted straight from 1986, dusted off and released exactly as its creators intended.

Listening to it now is like opening a musical time capsule. With the current affection for 1980s nostalgia, fuelled by television series such as Stranger Things, perhaps The Western Front's moment has finally arrived.

The project carries some impressive pedigree. Guitarist Scott Gorham, best known for his years with Thin Lizzy, demonstrates once again the melodic touch that became such a hallmark of his playing. Alongside him is songwriter Marty Walsh, whose extensive session career included Supertramp's touring band, while vocalist Richard "Moon" Calhoun brings a smooth, soulful delivery honed during his time with Rufus alongside Chaka Khan.

From the opening notes, 'Eureka' is full of soaring guitars, polished arrangements and instantly memorable choruses. The lead single, 'Set Me Free', is an inspired choice, combining a driving rhythm with an infectious hook that lingers long after the song has finished. Elsewhere, tracks such as 'The Law Of The Jungle' and 'Heartland' showcase the band's knack for strong melodies, while 'Chain Of Light' injects a little extra bite with its tougher guitar work. Throughout, the musicianship is first class without ever feeling self-indulgent, each player serving the songs rather than showing off.

What is perhaps most striking is how authentic the album feels. Rather than trying to recreate the sound of the mid-1980s, 'Eureka' simply is a product of that era, finally emerging after four decades in the vault. There is an honesty to the songwriting and performances that makes the record feel timeless rather than dated.

As someone looking forward to seeing Def Leppard this Summer, I found 'Eureka' tapped into much of that same nostalgic appeal. It is an album that should have found an audience in 1986; fortunately, it has finally been given the opportunity to find one in 2026.

Ivan De Mello