‘Heaven doesn’t have a phone, so there will be no more calls from home’
When I saw the band name ‘Don’t Panic’ the first thing I did was panic. As someone who runs on chronic anxiety it suits my nature perfectly, hahaha, and so ‘For Your Consideration’ I present their new album.
With Messrs Felicetti – vocals, Falkow- bass, Paesano – drums and Larson – guitar/BV we have a chance to lay down our arms as the mid-year mark draws near and think about everything that is going on and how we really want the rest of the year, and our lives to shape up. First off, I love the cover art, my head is literally on fire, I’m really not sure how much more I can take with so much information, mostly bad, that we are fed through the screens that have taken over our lives.
Lead single ‘Honest’ bounces along gaily, a tune we can hum too, harmonise to, it appeals to our better nature, and asks for our openness and transparency.
This album is probably the album of the summer, the horrors are masked in palatable morsels, there is a carefree attitude, the music swings and sways and I find myself sinking into the chair, feeling a bit more relaxed and breathing a bit easier.
That is until ‘Calls from Home’ stopped my heart, I felt the invisible grip tighten around the muscle that should keep me alive. Death and grief, two things we have all been affected by since lockdown, which feels like a ‘Lifetime Away’ but it’s impact and significance pierces every cell inside us.
Growing old is something that needs to be more appreciated and honoured, but sadly we are pushed to remain forever young. It’s a continuous battle, we all age, and with that hopefully we will learn. Engagement, acceptance will bring peace, there is no hiding from it, so it is vital to understand the responsibility that comes with it.
The ‘Silent Engineer’ inside us all is ready to help create a new blueprint for the future, a fairer and more settled time. It gives us the green light to chase our dreams, sometimes we need that little push to see us on our way.
They tricked me these cheeky chappies, I thought we were finishing with a ballad, but then ‘Blame It On The Rain’ switches gear and leapfrogs to end this journey with just as much gusto and energy as we started. All the way from Pennsylvania, Don’t Panic bring the sunshine sounds of Pop Punk and Emo to heal and to hold.
As footprints in the sand don’t last, save my ashes in a coffee can. Sigh……
Azra Pathan
Don’t Panic – For Your Consideration, out 17th April 2026.