French Dogs have spent the last few years building a reputation on adrenaline, sharp riffs, and the live energy that leaves venues dripping with sweat. With their debut album, Here’s to Pretending, however, the London quintet shows there is far more beneath the surface than pure momentum.
While the record still carries the punch of their punk-inflected indie rock roots, it also reveals a band willing to slow down, reflect, and wrestle with loyalty, regret, friendship, and endurance. The result is a debut that feels bigger, richer, and far more emotionally nuanced than expected.
Opening track “Broken Glass” wastes no time making its mark. Gritty, shimmering guitars scrape against one another before stomping drums kick the song into motion. Just when the tension feels ready to boil over, the arrangement briefly eases off, allowing the vocalist’s thick, heartfelt delivery to take centre stage. Then comes the chorus, and it explodes. Fuzzy guitars surge skyward as he passionately declares, “And I would walk through broken glass, standing in the rain, watch I’ll shiver.” It’s romantic, reckless, and gloriously messy, capturing the album’s recurring fascination with devotion pushed to its limits.
The title track, “Here’s to Pretending,” serves as the album’s emotional core. Warm, gritty guitars and restrained percussion create a reflective atmosphere as frontman Ben Spencer explores fractured friendships and the ache of watching connections slip away. He sings nostalgically, particularly when he sighs, “But don’t say I never tried.” Even amid regret, though, the song carries a flicker of optimism, insisting that brighter days remain possible.
Later, “A Day So Long” introduces a gentler dynamic. Rolling rhythms, revving bass, and melodic guitar lines support lyrics aimed at someone struggling to open their heart. He might show frustration, but also patience and understanding, giving the track a compassionate warmth that offers possibilities and clearings ahead.
What makes Here’s to Pretending so compelling is its balance. French Dogs pair urgency with stronger songwriting and deeper emotional weight. The debut captures both the chaos of city life and the resilience required to navigate it, marking the arrival of a band confidently stepping into its next chapter.
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Review by: Naomi Joan