Turn the Car Around
by Gaz Coombes
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Jan 13, 2023
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 30, 2023
    100
    The band’s intoxicating, questing spirit throbs through the strongest suite of music Coombes has assembled in 20 years.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Jan 17, 2023
    90
    It is the finest achievement of Coombes’ solo career so far, a magnificent record – and the feeling still persists that there is more to come.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Jan 11, 2023
    90
    While the off-kilter rhythms and cowbells of ‘This Love’ give way to a central chorus line that’s almost Bowie-esque. They’re big reference points but ‘Turn The Car Around’ uses them masterfully to drive down its own sonic motorway.
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Mar 9, 2023
    80
    A rewarding journey that delights in a celebration of friendship, inclusivity and 'this crazy dream of our utopia'. [Apr 2023, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. AllMusic
    Jan 20, 2023
    80
    Coombes remains a rocker in repose, avoiding the temptation to make a racket, yet Turn the Car Around carries a sense of adventure that World's Strongest Man lacked, which ultimately makes it a richer listen.
  7. Clash Music
    Jan 13, 2023
    80
    It’s a fearless, intricately crafted and sonically expansive body of work that effortlessly showcases why he’s one of the UK’s most talented songwriters.
  8. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jan 13, 2023
    80
    Coombes, a quite masterful musical auteur after three decades in the game, skillfully navigates the record away from one long mid-life nightmare. ... it’s another hugely satisfying listen.
  9. Record Collector
    Jan 11, 2023
    80
    This is a thoughtful, and thought-provoking, set of songs from a writer whose responses to the world around him illustrate an ever-deepening maturity, which is intriguing to chart across his four solo releases to date.
  10. Uncut
    Jan 11, 2023
    80
    Coombes' fourth is cultivated and considered, its detailed arrangements illuminated by Ian Davenport's muscular productiom. [Feb 2023, p.23]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Mojo
    Jan 11, 2023
    80
    While Long Live The Strange turns the outsiderism of Supergrass's Strange Ones into an anthem, with bonus chorale. The rest is more soul-searching, but with instrumental structuring and melodic grace of satisfying excellence. [Feb 2023, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Album of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Neshelie
    Aug 21, 2023
    7
    It is a pleasant album to listen to. The sounds are very soft and the lyrics are very beautiful. The sound of the album is pleasant to the ear.
  2. Ricko
    May 11, 2023
    7
    One of the reoccuring thoughts I had while listening to this fine record is that this is the kind of record Richard Ashcroft should be makingOne of the reoccuring thoughts I had while listening to this fine record is that this is the kind of record Richard Ashcroft should be making as a solo artist. While Ashcroft has settled into providing a water down version of his past glories, Gaz Coombes is producing some of the best materiel of his career. Expansive and interesting, full of tunes I have a feeling that I will grow to like this more and more as time passes and the listening count goes up. "Don't Say It's Over" is one of the songs of the year and is a definite standout but the whole album feels like its details have been painstakingly thought out and crafted. There are still moment where songs don't quite take off or reach their potential but overall a really good listen.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »