REVIEW: Blanket - True Blue

BLANKET kick-start 2026 with long awaited release of True Blue. The North West UK band have been releasing singles for this full length since March last year but today the wait is over. Shoegaze as a genre is one that has been on quite a revival over recent years and one band that has been part of that is BLANKET who you may know from 2021 release In Awe featuring LOATHE. The band now release fourth album True Blue. One way to describe their sound is immersive and that goes without question in this album too with an even wider atmospheric sense, So if escaping into an open expanse is your thing? Your in the right place.

When asked about the writing process of the album they said "At the heart of it, we were chasing something hones a kind of raw emotion. We spent a lot of time making sure the way we played and produced it matched that feeling” and that's exactly what they have done here especially in single Hole In My Head as it discusses the very human experience of feeling of being disappointed in yourself and finding it to difficult to ask for help. 

The singing almost taking the back seat in the mix also gives a more nostalgia like older shoegaze but still doesn't go unnoticed. Vocalist POOK's voice brings the calming nature when guitars bass and drums that are much more stand out and at times heavier sounding but producer SAM BLOR has made this work with the layered textures that lets the mix feel very well rounded, pulling the listener into more into the emotions of the album 

In a way True Blue feels very cathartic float in the ocean or outer space especially in song Bind featuring WAYSIDE. The guitar structure going throughout every track allows a very seamless journey that takes you through track by track. The alum is truly some of the best work that's come from the quartet, especially in the title track where everyone really has a moment to shine, particularly vocalist FLETCHER POOK, bringing a close to the album in peaceful send off with his voice and acoustic guitar.

Non single Summer Skin features LYNSEY WARD who brings a nice addition and accompaniment to the rest of the song and has the heaviest ending out of all the tracks. Standout song Wallflower has everything the others have on the album and brings it all together in a perfect way before ending the album with the closer. It has the calm and it has the storm, whilst keeping what has been a constant in raw, pure honesty in the lyrics.

Overall, what a start of the year! This definitely feels like an album that won't be forgotten when it comes to top lists at the end of 2026. BLANKET are among a fun bring back of the genre and definitely one to keep an eye on for shows and future releases. You're not going to want to sleep on these guys.

Score: 8/10

True Blue will be released on 16th January 2026 via Adventure Cat Records.

Words: Lucas Grayson 

Photos: Blanket