Manchester’s post-punk titans IST IST have never been a band to do things by halves. Rising from the city’s underground with a fiercely independent DIY ethic, they’ve spent years carving out a sonic identity as monolithic as it is emotive. With the arrival of Dagger, the quartet marks a staggering milestone: their sixth studio album since their debut first shook the scene back in 2019.
This prolific output hasn’t diluted their craft; if anything, it has forged them into one of the most consistent and formidable forces in modern alternative music.
From the opening pulse of “I Am the Fear”, it’s clear the band has refined their industrial edges into something shimmering and cinematic. The track kicks the door down with an insistent synth-disco beat and Adam Houghton’s signature baritone, setting a pace that rarely lets up. This energy flows seamlessly into “Makes No Difference”, a bloodthirsty-banger that explores the magnetic pull of desire through driving basslines and crystalline guitar work.
The mid-album stretch is where the record truly soars. “Warning Signs” offers a masterclass in gothic pop, pairing cathedral-sized melodies with an infectious, stadium-ready chorus. “Burning” shifts gears into a more measured, muscular groove, while “The Echo” provides a soaring electronic monster that lifts the listener with its atmospheric depth.
As we reach the final act, “Obligations” delivers a rib-rattling assault on the senses, showcasing Andy Keating’s formidable bass work. The 31-minute journey concludes with “Ambition”, a track that lives up to its name. It’s a towering, slow-burn finale that captures the duality of the record, acknowledging the “desperation in the words” while looking firmly toward the horizon.
Dagger is an absolute triumph. Tightly constructed and emotionally resonant, it’s the sound of a band at the peak of their powers, proving that six albums in, the fire is only burning brighter.
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