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Album Review : Bison Hip – Everything That Came Before Was Just Leading Up To This

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Posted on 17th September 2025

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Reviewed by Taf Rock for MPM

The call goes out. It’s time to celebrate. To celebrate the bison. The bison – the magnificent horned bovine, large in stature, powerful and nomadic …. Hold on a minute, let’s start again shall we.

Everything That Came Before Was Just Leading Up To This – the celebration of the release of Glaswegian quintet Bison Hip’s third album. An album that sees the band discover their true identity as purveyors of quality, genre defying, sonic awesomeness. Ten original tracks that address issues everyone can identify with leaving the listener enriched and satisfied whether it be via the descriptive lyrics Paul Sloway delivers in an upbeat fashion or the immersive soundscape unleashed by John Gilmour Smith (guitar), Stephen Radziwonik (keys), Graeme Carswell (bass) and Malcolm Button (drums).

Like a prelude to the curtain rising at a capacity arena show, an atmospheric intro with futuristic keys, jungle style drums, rumbling bass and layers of intense guitar absorbs the listener as the title track commences making a statement with intent. The past five years have seen the band evolve into a cohesive unit. Sloway’s opening refrain ‘Dear God… Been thinking a lot’ adding to the mysticism and intrigue. ‘Reinvented … Starting again’ a song that sees our subject awaken, discovering his true self, as he picks up the pieces from his ‘dead and gone’ past and transforms from ‘a shell of a man’. Joyous choral gang vocals triumphantly celebrate ‘finally meaning something to someone’.

In complete contrast Bedlam sees two partners at conflict. One wants to escape the hustle ‘n’ bustle of everyday life urging the aggressor to ‘lay down your arms… we don’t have to go to war’ whilst treading on those fragile eggshells meanwhile the other is set on creating chaos and disorder. ‘Ready… Aim … Fire’ … ‘the guns are loaded’ and vitriolic words spew forth. As the bison ‘butt heads’ and the funky keys subside the tension escalates. The drums of warfare usher in furious keyboards as the ceasefire breaks down and the battle ‘kicks off once again’.

The album’s first single Chemicals is a delightful tongue in cheek look at the most powerful of emotions – love. Our subject is in denial, ‘not in love with you’. It’s just the Oxytocin ‘a natural reaction’. An infectious keyboard rich hookline uplifts whilst the chorus burrows into your brain like a well intentioned earworm.

Radziwonik’s superlative keys set the scene, the band cry in unison as two partners ‘move on’ and drift apart. However this isn’t all doom and gloom, more a song of positivity and hope. Perfectly capable of standing on my own two feet Why Should I Cry If You Leave Me? Sloway’s soulful vocal the perfect delivery vehicle for Gilmour Smith’s heartfelt lyrics. For ‘those two people filled up with hope from the start… There’s no happy ending’ but Smith lifts the dark clouds with the soothing refrain of his guitar.

Boogie woogie piano and unique one of a kind lyrics define Outrageous. Exaggerated, shocking?? Quite the opposite. Bison Hip’s talent ‘just blows my mind’. Samson’s hair, vampires, Superman’s Kryptonite and a death defying scream all here in one crazy fun filled package that delights at every opportunity.

It’s Cool to explore a variety of musical styles. Bison Hip do just that, turning this time to a touch of white reggae to bring into focus the science of relationships, flirting and jealousy. ‘If you wanna talk to other guys… I don’t mind’. Bison Hip refuse to be confined by genres.

A tip of the hat to Bo Diddley as we climb to the top of a rock ‘n’ roll Mountain built on the solid foundation of Carswell and Button’s rhythm section. Gilmour Smith’s distinctive lyrics will keep you company, ‘living in your head rent free’ as you begin your descent from the lofty heights and rarified air of Mount Bison.

7 minutes 34 seconds of excellence follows with The Imposter. An enthralling epic with beautiful orchestration walking hand in hand with a stunning Sloway vocal performance. Breathtaking to the very last second as Smith’s guitar gently brings us back down to earth.

Sometimes our actions are Defenceless. Bison Hip expose our vulnerabilities with a dose of funk. Dima Faustov horns and dirty Carswell bass create a contagious rhythm.

Lest we forget that life and music is all about having fun. Bison Hip remind us with I Forgot To Tell My Heart That You Were Gone which commences with frivolity and false starts before the blues flows in earnest. Big Carswell bass rhythms carry us to our baptism, a searing Smith solo ‘causing lacerations’ before the band indulge in a spot of acapella vocal accompanied by light hearted applause.

The call rings out once again. It’s time to celebrate the bison – Bison Hip. Join the herd as they leave the confines of their Scottish homeland and the great bison migration begins. Everything That Came Before Was Just Leading Up To This!!