Dexys Midnight Runners Lose Their Stride on ‘LOVE’
Julia Porras
Writer
September 12, 2026
The English pop and soul band of the ’80s is back with a brand-new album. Kevin Rowland reflects on the past, aging, and, most importantly, “love.” After reforming in 2003 and later returning as just “Dexys,” they released three albums before returning to the original name for this new release.
The album starts off strong with the album’s single, “My Life in England Pt. 1.” It goes into Kevin Rowland’s experience growing up in England as a second-generation Irish kid. It’s an upbeat song that goes over specific moments from his childhood and the innocent struggles he went through growing up.
The album ends with “My Life in England Pt. 2,” which is a bit slower and more relaxed. It finishes with the same nostalgic feeling they started with, wrapping the album in a nice bow.
Time passing and aging are big topics on this album. “Once a Man, Twice a Child” goes into the passing of Kevin Rowland’s father and how he had to take care of him as their roles reversed. It’s a super emotional ballad, with soft synths and echoing ambience. The track “Old Love” is a raw, emotional song that goes into the struggles of the body aging much faster than the mind. The simplicity of the song, having just a piano and some percussion, allows the listener to really focus on the message of the song and how deeply he feels about his life passing by so fast.
Moving to the bright side, this album has a lot of love. “You’ve Got the Love” is an upbeat love song that repeats the title, emphasizing the need and desire to be with someone. It starts with powerful piano chords, paired with Rowland and Beatrice Howard’s captivating vocals.
“You’re Alright” is another repetitive song, made for his grandchildren, encouraging them to be kind and live their lives in full. Rowland wrote this song during a point in time when he thought he was suffering from fatal kidney failure, trying to teach them to prioritize human connection and forget about physical achievements that, in the long run, don’t really mean anything.
It’s a shame this album doesn’t match a lot of the other upbeat songs they’re known for, and it sometimes struggles to shine with its lyrics. However, Dexys taking a more emotional and reflective route doesn’t go unnoticed.
Edited by: Jade Read
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