Fresh path and artistic growth
Alright, so Justin Hawkins believes The Darkness is finally freeing itself from the constraints of expectations, and let’s face it, it’s about time! He’s moved on from crafting songs just to satisfy the loyal fans, and is now pursuing what resonates with him — both musically and emotionally. That’s a bold move in an era where everyone’s vying for more likes than a puppy in a tutu.
The upcoming album promises to be quite the surprise — still brimming with their signature theatrics, but infused with added depth and experimentation. Hawkins mentions he’s been exploring various sonic textures, welcoming a more genuine and raw sound. It’s not merely about flashy riffs and high-pitched screams (though there’s still plenty of that, don’t fret), but also a touch of introspection beneath the glitz.
“I used to concentrate on what the fans desired. Now I think about what the song demands,” Hawkins mentioned, likely while donned in a leopard-print onesie and sipping something stronger than tea.
He’s also been experimenting with different instruments and allowing the band’s ideas to flow more organically in the studio. Less egos, more collaboration. Honestly, it’s as if they’ve stopped trying to be The Darkness of 2003 and have begun embodying The Darkness of the present — fully transformed, still outrageous, but with more substance beneath the sparkle.
For music lovers like us riding the wave of new sounds, it’s uplifting to witness such a legendary band toss aside the rulebook and simply give it a go. If that doesn’t scream rock’n’roll, I’m not sure what does.
Industry pushback and personal musings
Now here’s the juicy part — Justin isn’t hesitant to share why The Darkness never truly received a warm embrace from the music industry. He feels the industry has always labeled them as a novelty act, ensnared by their own sparkle and flashy kicks. Quite the setup, honestly. They’ve been blasting out riffs with more bite than a crocodile in a wetsuit, yet they’ve still been tagged as a “joke band” from the get-go.
Hawkins suspects it’s partly because they didn’t conform. No flattery, no chasing trends, just unrestrained rock and a wardrobe that would make Elton John appear as if he shops at Kmart. He’s not resentful — more puzzled — but you can sense it bothers him. He discusses being overlooked by radio and press who simply didn’t understand, or perhaps didn’t want to.
“We were never the cool crowd. We were the oddballs in spandex — and that unsettled a few folks,” he remarked, with that classic half-smile showing he knows how much that uniqueness matters now.
And don’t even get him started on his recent video with Liam Payne. He’s faced backlash for giving the guy a cheeky jab, but Hawkins stands firm. He says it wasn’t about being cruel, just honest — and if honesty shakes things up, well, that’s rock’n’roll, right?
- He notes that the industry loves a polished product — but The Darkness has always been more like a glitter bomb in a pit of snakes.
- There’s a genuine feeling that he’s moved beyond seeking validation and started doing it for the love — and for the band.
- It’s the type of mindset more musicians could likely benefit from — less kowtowing, more individuality.
So sure, maybe the industry never completely took them in — but they’re still around, still rocking hard, and still caring very little. And truthfully, that’s why we adore them. It’s like trying to tame a hurricane with a shoelace — good luck with that, mate.