A chilled out Hawkwind on a different trip as they find themselves slap bang in the middle of a purple patch.

Release Date: 18th April 2025

Label: Cherry Red Records

Format: CD/ digital / LP

Following 2024’s critically acclaimed Stories From Time And Space and recent triple live album Live At The Royal Albert Hall, the latest in a purple patch of Hawkind develops the dystopian theme of a cosmic, almost metaphysical perspective on humanity’s place in the universe through expansive soundscapes and electrifying psychedelic rock. 

LIKE OUR NEW DIRECTION?

The space rocking vibe heads in a more celestial direction, possibly a result of the electronic ambient experiments chanced upon (at a recent gig in Bath apparently – if you read PROG) almost by accident. Still, there’s a familar rush following Dave Brock’s spoken word intro. Many will hear the Floyd’s On The run bubbling away as he muses over “our perception of how it all began.” But not for long. The Hawkwind staple of chowing down on a banging motorik riff kicks in with the mantra that, yes – “humans came.” Often the source of anger for how we treat our existence.

Space Continues is an eight minute maelstrom of bubbling sequencing and brassy punctuation. Recognizably Hawkwind but given a contemporary sheen – could again be what might become known as ‘the Bath effect’. It has one wondering if modular synth aficionado Steve Davis might be a good transfer from The Utopia Strong for the new season. Very much in the same way as it segues into Co-Pilot which offers a similarly tranquil reading. Almost a rumination on navigating the waters of life or the boundaries of space.

Changes finds the more bass driven heftiness returning, but not too much. Crossing the boundaries into Ozric and Orb pastures before Richard Chadwick gets a second wind and his drumkit provides the impetus for an acceleration.

RUSTIC? BUCOLIC? HAWKWIND?

The rustic tone of the title track almost takes us back full circle. Think the easy vibe of We Took The Wrong Step Years Ago and Hurry On Sundown from the start of the first album. Almost even like Hawkwind taking on bluegrass. However, there’s an anger in the sentiment as “rain will wash away human stain on this Earth“. Damning, but sad to think it possible that our legacy would be the skidmark on the underpants of society.

The Outer Region Of The Universe finds that improv vein being tapped again. Much on the doodling, see where it leads and all very chilled and dream-like rather than trancey. Definitely unchilled is Neutron Star. All banging Rock and Roll or is it a return to the Punk ethos? There’s a distinct commitment to a repetitive no frills chord pattern that provides the base on which to build a wildly undulating electronic passage. One that’s short lived as A Long Way From Home plays out like you’d expect it to sound. A gentle and reflective piece, free of lyrics save a touching “I died/I’m dying, a long long way from home.” One could imagine it being constructed in the sun on Dave Brock’s Devon farm. Very bucolic and rustic, the acoustic guitars coming out and the record button being pressed.

The finale, apallette cleanser and most un-Hawkwind-like, dare we say it sets the seal on a more mature Hawkwind on There Is No Space For Us? We wouldn’t be wrong. Refined might be a between word. Possibly chilled or even reconciled. As we know, and as Hawkwind have reminded us, the future never waits

Here’s the title track:

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