“I want life without a doubt.”
In 2023, Scottish-born band Teenage Fanclub unveiled their 13th studio album, “Nothing Lasts Forever”. It is a solid album, but the thing that stuck out to me about the record was, of all things, the title.
Nothing lasts forever. A seemingly definite fact. Life is definite in only one matter, that it ends. The friendships and relationships, the experiences one embarks on are only temporary, if however necessary for our growth. But seemingly Teenage Fanclub is the only thing in the universe destined to rumble on for eternity.
Since their induction in 1989, Teenage Fanclub have remained a consistent ever-present in the alternative and indie rock scenes, developing a solid following for their ability to create catchy earworms of songs that engage with all. And judging by their latest outing in “Do Not Dare To Dream”, the TF train is still staying on track.
Recorded at Black Bay studio on the remote Scottish island of Great Bernera, Teenage Fanclub create a record both aided and defined by their surroundings and time in their life, an island characterised by its sprawling sea and the ancient ruins of which it inhabits. Layering this record is an introspective focus in the record’s lyrics and themes, perhaps inspired by the long-time collaboration from the band’s two main leads, Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley, who clearly still have an innate desire to write and sing.
Do Not Dare To Dream starts off with “There Was You”, and for your information, there’s a strong 80% part of me that has this down as my favourite, something about the soft yet hypnotic delivery of the title in the song’s chorus has stuck with me even through multiple relistens to find other little things to pick out. It’s also a great pacesetter for the record, it’s an album that doesn’t really build but hangs around in a comforting lane for the listener.
Teenage Fanclub set out to take advantage of their location on Do Not Dare To Dream. In addition to layers of interwoven guitars and naturally easing acoustic textures and Tambers, the Black Bay Studio also allowed them to utilise many different synthesisers, as well as a Domus Church Organ. These unique additions to the record can be best heard in the excellent back-to-back pairing of ‘Tomorrow People’ and ‘Over And Over’, with the synths being used as an effective transition on the former, whilst the organ on the latter gives what is already a solid track a royal texture that helps complete the song.
Do Not Dare To Dream is a record that wraps you up as the listener in the world’s comfiest blanket. Or maybe one of those weighted blankets that are all the crave. On the one hand, it’s a record that isn’t going to surprise you in any musical manner, unless this is your first ever time engaging with any form of music. On the other hand, the album lends itself to such a smooth listen. The title track sums up that approach, the interchanging acoustic guitars are interlaced with the precision of a band that have been kicking about for nearly four decades running, and the electric guitars vying for the spotlight give this blanket an extra warmth and fuzz to it all.
Do Not Dare To Dream closes on ‘Young And Wise’, which is a befitting descriptor of the band as a whole. Blake and McGinley may both be in their 60s, and triple my age, but they still have the energy and enthusiasm that made their younger recording days on records like “Grand Prix” and “Bandwagonesque” landmark albums of their time. And with time they have managed to keep intact their musical capabilities and intellect. Hopefully my writing won’t fall stagnant when I’m at their age.
Teenage Fanclub are a group defined by their comforting nature. If you’re the kind of listener that wants music that will push and challenge you, you’re not going to find that with Do Not Dare To Dream. But if you’re looking for the kind of record that you can rock your old grandpa’s chair to or have perking up in your ears as you watch the birds in the trees, you’ve struck gold.
Teenage Fanclub: Do Not Dare To Dream – Released 9 October 2026 (Merge Records)
Fanclub – There Was You (Official Music Video)
