Nick Lowe – Indoor Safari (Yep Roc) 13th Floor Album Review

Nick Lowe’s Indoor Safari invites listeners on an emotional journey that deftly combines introspective reflection with a lively retro rockabilly and surf rock twist. With a title that hints at navigating life’s personal challenges—perhaps echoing Elvis Costello’s Indoor Fireworks—Lowe continues his collaboration with Los Straitjackets. Together, they balance Lowe’s quintessentially English restraint with the energetic, surf-rock-influenced instrumentation of his American counterparts.

Lowe has always had a talent for weaving humour and heartbreak into his songwriting, and Indoor Safari opens with Went to a Party, where the protagonist’s journey begins with them enthusiastically entering a social engagement but quickly descends into a weary desire to escape. He wittily describes navigating the party like a “safari around a waterhole of Campari.” The upbeat rhythm provided by Los Straitjackets contrasts with Lowe’s relaxed, conversational delivery, setting the tone for an album that mixes fun with reflection.

Love Starvation dives into deeper emotional territory, exploring themes of loneliness and longing. Lowe’s smooth vocals carry the weight of unfulfilled desire, and there is a urgent edge in the repeated phrase “the needle’s in the red.”  Los Straitjackets’ vibrant rockabilly injects energy into the song, keeping it from sinking into despair.

In Crying Inside, Lowe is at his lyrical best, portraying the tension between outward appearances and inner turmoil. He is the life of the party externally, but internally, he is aching. The upbeat instrumentation adds an ironic contrast to the song’s sorrowful undertones, echoing themes from earlier works like Cruel to Be Kind from Labour of Lust.

A Quiet Place humorously addresses the modern world’s constant noise and distraction, as Lowe bemoans the difficulty of finding peace in a chaotic environment. The theme is highly relatable, and Lowe’s lighthearted delivery paired with Los Straitjackets’ bouncy rhythm adds a sense of fun to the track.

With Blue on Blue, Lowe turns to the theme of toxic relationships, blending melancholy with a gentle, melodic arrangement. Lowe acknowledges how deeply entrenched he is in his feelings, despite knowing they are unhealthy. The resigned sadness in the lyrics offers a stark contrast to the album’s more light hearted moments.

Jet Pac Boomerang explores cyclical relationships with a playful twist. The playful title conjures images of something that always returns, and Lowe channels both frustration and humour into the song. The sly nod to The Beatles with the final line “Last night I said these words to my girl” adds a nostalgic layer, while Los Straitjackets’ infectious surf-rock sound amplifies the track’s energetic, playful feel.

Trombone is a standout track, with the instrument acting as a metaphor for lost love. The melancholic tones of the trombone reflect themes of longing and solitude, while Lowe’s understated vocal delivery convey deep feelings with grace and subtlety.

The album also includes reworked versions of previously released songs like Tokyo Bay and Crying Inside, which benefit from the cohesive feel of Indoor Safari.

By the album closer Don’t Be Nice to Me, the journey feels complete. Lowe blends humour with vulnerability, confessing that kindness only deepens his pain after heartbreak. It’s a fitting end to an album that skilfully balances wit and emotional depth, and Los Straitjackets’ retro sound providing a lively counterpoint to Lowe’s introspective lyrics.

If Indoor Fireworks by Elvis Costello symbolised explosive emotional turmoil, Indoor Safari feels like a more controlled, reflective journey through life’s ups and downs—where even the most difficult emotions are handled with a knowing smile. Lowe once again demonstrates his skills at blending humour, heartache, and reflection. His very English voice, rich with age and experience, is complemented Los Straitjackets’ energetic American sound. For those willing to embark on this “safari,” the album offers an emotional and musical journey that is equal parts introspective and fun—a safari well worth taking.

John Bradbury

Indoor Fireworks by Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets is released today on Yep Roc Records