The Subways – When I’m With You
Known for their high-energy live performances that fuse indie, garage rock and punk, The Subways first burst onto the scene in 2005 as a teenage trio with their gold-certified debut album Young for Eternity. The album became a cornerstone of rock radio and streaming playlists, with over 100 million streams to date. The Subways are now celebrating their 20th anniversary in style, revisiting nostalgic tracks from their five studio albums.
First up, Oh Yeah, is a powerful song reminiscent of teenage love – “It’s like I’m walking down your street again at 17” – produced by Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds, known for his melodic pop sound and inventive production.
Black Wax, an ode to their love of music, full of fire, pays homage to artists who have influenced their style, including Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin and Kurt Cobain. It also highlights the power of music to uplift you when you’re feeling lonely: “When I’m lonely, always lonely, it’s everything.” It’s punky and fierce, with hard-hitting drumming adding to its intensity.
That same essence runs through Uncertain Joys. Arguably coming from one of their more experimental albums, it blends pop and rock while exploring the pain of losing someone you love. Vivid imagery of being haunted by a taunting ghost and getting high on the “uncertain joys” captures the struggle of escaping heartbreak. Every track carries the band’s contagious energy, and even as a retrospective, it sounds as fresh and vital as ever.
In a time when things feel uncertain around the world, Good Times is a timely reminder to never give up the fight and to live life to the fullest, as the group reminds us that better days are coming. The electric guitar carries the song from start to finish, leaving you with the feeling that good days are truly calling – a great choice to celebrate their anniversary.
While many artists adapt to the changing music scene, The Subways have stayed true to their artistry for over 20 years. Rock & Roll Queen closes the record, serving as the perfect rock and roll love song. The guitar tones are raw and come alive, met by driving basslines and sharp, vibrant drumming that fuel the track’s intensity. It would have been nice to hear more songs from their earlier albums, like understated treasures Strawberry Blonde, I Am Young and Girls & Boys, but this selection still beautifully showcases their true talent.
Kanika Phillip
Image: Laura Lewis
When I’m With You is released on 17th October 2025. For further information or to order the album, visit The Subways’s website here.
Watch the video for Rock & Roll Queen here:
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