In this era where rock music often feels either polished to sterility or drowned in nostalgia, Kev Howell emerges from the Glasgow scene like a much-needed thunderclap. His title track and lead offering from the sophomore album It's Gonna Get Heavy is a taut blast of gritty guitar-driven blues-rock that lives up to its name without ever tipping into parody. This is music that doesn't just suggest weight - it delivers it, with the kind of lived-in authority that makes you lean in closer even as the volume pushes you back.
The song opens with a signature riff: Howell's gritty, expressive guitar work immediately front and centre, channelling the swagger of Jack White and the raw emotional depth of Gary Clark Jr., while nodding to the atmospheric haze of bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Produced by Matt Harvey and mastered by the esteemed Tim Debney (whose résumé includes Thom Yorke and Kasabian), the track boasts a sonically rich, expansive feel that belies its compact runtime. Drums and percussion from Jonny Hall lock in tight, providing a volatile backbone that drives the song forward like a freight train barrelling through a storm.
Lyrically, Howell draws from modern life's fractures. The sense of a world in pieces. The title phrase lands not as a threat but as a weary, knowing prophecy: things are intensifying, pressures are mounting, and the only response is to lean into the chaos rather than shrink from it. Vocals cut straight to the bone, raw and charismatic, with a melodic punch reminiscent of Noel Gallagher's best hooks but filtered through a bluesy, more volatile lens. It's emotionally charged without descending into melodrama, balancing storytelling pulled from everyday struggles with hooks that demand to be shouted back at the stage.
What elevates "It's Gonna Get Heavy" beyond a solid bar-room rocker is its dynamic range. The arrangement breathes - quiet, atmospheric builds give way to explosive, louder-than-life choruses where the blues influence feels bigger and more unhinged than ever. This is cohesive, purposeful songcraft from an artist who's clearly evolved since his 2017 debut Haunting Ambition. Howell's international airplay, BBC Introducing support for earlier cuts like "Arrows" and "Longnor," and live reputation (supporting the likes of Gerry Cinnamon and Troy Redfern) make perfect sense here. The track reportedly goes down a storm in person, and it's easy to hear why: this is music built for sweaty venues and cathartic releases.
In the broader context of the nine-track album, this title cut sets the tone for a record that no doubt will further establishes Howell's distinctive voice. It's timeless yet contemporary, blending authenticity with indie-rock edge. For fans craving substance over flash, It's Gonna Get Heavy feels like a vital injection of real-deal rock 'n' roll energy.
Kev Howell isn't reinventing the wheel here, he's stripping it down, greasing it up, and sending it careening down the highway with fresh urgency. If this is the standard for his current chapter, his 2026 should be unmissable. Crank it loud, feel the weight, and let it hit you. Things are indeed getting heavy, and Howell is here for it.
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