Although ‘Time Flies By’, Old-School Rock Hasn’t Aged a Day.
Imagine you are walking down a narrow staircase at the back of a pub. Gig posters are peeling off the walls on both sides of you, and the faint sound of the band tuning their instruments is coming from below. You enter the basement. It’s a dimly lit room with a low ceiling, a small stage, and the smell of cigarette smoke hanging in the air.
You have just stepped into ‘Time Flies By’, the new album by OVERHAUL.
Formed in 1997, OVERHAUL are true old-school rock stars, led by American singer-songwriter Andy Gallagher. Influenced by bands ranging from Neil Young and Crazy Horse to Nirvana, they mix grunge and alternative rock, resulting in a signature style that’s rooted in traditional sounds but isn’t afraid to experiment.
With nearly 30 years of experience behind their belts, OVERHAUL show that they are still at the top of their game and ready to take the music scene by storm with their new LP, ‘Time Flies By’.
The album begins with ‘I don’t think you know me’, and its high-speed, yet intentionally restrained guitar energy deems it worthy of a spot on the iconic 1991 album ‘Seamonsters’ by The Wedding Present. Even Gallagher’s vocals bring David Gedge to mind: levelled in tone, conversational in delivery. If this is just the beginning, the rest of the album is promising, to say the least.
‘Bask’ comes next, bringing along a stronger, rougher sound. ‘BASK!’ – the abrupt shouts interrupt the rhythm. The bass is heavy, the guitar distorted, the drums aggressive. ‘BASK!’ The fuzzy background is like TV static – it’s a track that doesn’t care about being polished. It is raw. It is fast. It is real. ‘BASK!’
Released as a single, ‘A Problem’s Just a Problem’ introduces occasional keys that bring a layer of synthetic melodiousness to an otherwise relatively heavy track. It’s a successful addition that contrasts the other elements perfectly. The song’s high point arrives when the insistent guitar riff explodes into a solo – its intensity and sheer power almost make you think that pure electricity is passing through Gallagher’s body as he rips into the strings.
‘My Brighter Day’ is a homage to the French capital, inspired by ‘a Parisian hotel view’ – according to OVERHAUL’s press release.
I see a beautiful place / I feel the creative spark and inspiration flow / It’s my brighter day / Yes, my brighter day has come today
A textbook rock song, the track is fast-paced and bold, yet perfect for singing along – it certainly would not disappoint fans of Foo Fighters.
The LP closes with the nostalgic ‘Spanish Lilt’. The song glances back at the past, carrying heartache and yearning for something long gone. The outro lingers, as if prolonging an already difficult goodbye, making it a powerful ending to such an honest album.
‘Time Flies By’ is a coherent classic rock record. One that feels pulled from the past, yet avoids sounding dated thanks to experimental effects and distortions. Perfect for fans of accessible, authentic music that is reliable and entertaining at the same time.
The release will be followed by a UK & Ireland tour, due to commence in March 2026, and it will be a treat to hear OVERHAUL’s new album live.
