By Dylan Thatcher, Features Editor

[Provogue Records; 2025]

Rating: 5/10

Robin Trower is nearly 80 years old and shows no signs of slowing down. The blues-rock guitar legend continues to achieve the iconic sound that propelled him to rock & roll stardom in the 70s, for better or for worse.

It is impressive that Trower is still able to capture his gritty and distortion-heavy studio sound in the digital age. “A Little Bit Of Freedom” sounds like it is ripped straight off the tape from his 1975 album, For Earth Below. Richard Watts’ vocals are very tasteful and are eerily familiar with James Dewar, Trower’s singer from 1974 to 1983. Trower’s guitar playing is on point as well and helps drive this song, but it just sounds like more and more of the same. 

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It could be argued that almost all of Trower’s projects since Bridge of Sighs have sounded too similar to the last, and this would be a valid argument because it’s true. Whether it’s formulaic songwriting or just the general trappings of the blues-box, Trower’s perceived lack of ingenuity has been a relevant critique throughout his entire solo career. “A Little Bit Of Freedom” does little to amend this narrative.

Trower’s next full-length album is set to release in April of 2025. Perhaps fans will be surprised with the rest of the album. Worst case scenario, they’ll get the same album they’ve been listening to since 1974. Either way, Robin Trower will continue his remarkably enduring career.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/track/1NquwZ5Gwc99qfXRBKrojB