My New Band Believe – ‘My New Band Believe’ album review: A debut that thrives on chaos
When Cameron Picton was in China, during a tour with his former band, Black Midi, he became confined to his hotel room with a sudden bout of illness. Increasingly delirious, Picton began having visions of text and images, fragmented though later pieced together into songs. The one that resonated most was the phrase “My New Band Believe”, becoming the eventual namesake of his new project and its debut album.
The Skinny: While listening to My New Band Believe, I’m reminded of the expansiveness of Silverchair’s 2002 album Diorama, the Australian rock band’s magnum opus of a rock opera that largely grounded itself with orchestral arrangements of the visionary Van Dyke Parks. Later, I was satisfied to learn that Picton contacted Parks to compose string arrangements for My New Band Believe, an effort that did not pan out but is still heard in the album’s similar whimsicality, finding its balance between wildly complex arrangements and stripped-back acoustics.
My New Band Believe is eccentric, in the best way, primarily because each song sounds as though it could fit into a musical theatre number. Picton’s cast of musicians he employs range across some-40 collaborators, including members of the band caroline, Black Country, New Road’s Charlie Wayne, shame’s Josh Finerty and many more. Such a varied lineup contributes to the eccentricity across the album, but creates a welcome kind, nonetheless. For an album that would otherwise sound disjointed, there is something charming about My New Band Believe that makes for excitement.
Picton himself does not embody a specific character in each song but rather an emotive presence, however imposing or shocking that sensation may be. ‘Target Practice’ is sung from the chilling perspective of an assassin; the repeated “Don’t cry, you deserve this,” sung in both hollow isolation and layered vocals that soar with the orchestration build the overwhelm of discomfort that truly settles in when the lyrics do.
The orchestrations reach one of their chaotic heights on ‘In the Blink of an Eye’, a truly dizzying tune that oscillates from glimpses of mad fervour, becoming a short film in itself as Picton embodies various personas. The eight-and-a-half minute ‘Heart of Darkness’ has similar, sudden transitions, rooted in folk guitars but easily adapted to fit a range of emotions that communicate like vignettes.
Calmer moments find their way onto the album, too. ‘Love Story’ is an ode to domestic bliss, as lines like “Pull me close in the night” and “I’m in the back of your mind” rest alongside recounted images of cooking dinner together. ‘Pearls’ hears a beautiful composition that remains complex and melodic, fading out with the hum of a cymbal and echoing footsteps.
On ‘Actress’, Picton’s dramatic vocals are some of his best, coupled with over eight minutes of the most theatrical of the compositions across the album. Leaning into the thrill of the unknown, My New Band Believe turns the song’s meditation on fame into a song that resonates with a consuming impact.
Standout Track: ‘Actress’
The Verdict: On My New Band Believe, Picton & co reaches their highest power when they unleash chaos, making for a compelling debut that thrives off of a maximalist approach to pop music.
Release Date: April 10th, 2026 | Producers: Cameron Picton, Jasper Llewellyn, Mike O’Malley | Label: Rough Trade Records
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out New Music Newsletter
All the latest New Music from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.