New album from Andrew Browning and the 9 Pound Hammers

Hailing from Los Angeles, Andrew Browning and the 9 Pound Hammers have been making an impression on the modern rock landscape with a sound that distils the character of California; gritty, sun-soaked, uncompromising rock and a reflection of a place where beauty and darkness often blur. First unveiling their sound in July 2021, they released their debut record Blood on the Door, which they’ve since followed up with a string of well-received singles and their sophomore album, The Midnight Desert Talk Radio.

Now they bring us their latest release with their brand new third full-length record titled Love is a Beautiful Thing, a release which sees Andrew Browning and his collaborators dive headfirst into themes of love, exploring its imperfections, contradictions and fragile beauty. Featuring sweeping arrangements, powerful vocal performances and thrilling rock edge, Love is a Beautiful Thing captures the latest chapter in the project’s exciting musical story.

To achieve the daring sound of this record, Andrew Browning made some key changes to the recording process. Moving away from his usual setup at D.O.B. Sound in Santa Fe Springs, he opted for 4th Street Recording in Santa Monica, drawn by its proximity to his creative roots. “I didn’t think I could make the record I wanted to make if I didn’t change the way I did things and who I did them with,” he shares. This shift also allowed the morning-person songwriter to work on his own schedule, even if it meant adjusting the routines of his collaborators.

This project also introduced a fresh roster of accomplished musicians including Chris Lawrence, John DePatie, Belle Johnson, Sergio Cardenas and Jake Abernathie. Once again, Andrew linked up with producer Derek O’Brien, who’s worked with the likes of Social Distortion, Agent Orange and The Adolescents, marking their third collaboration, with Andrew sharing, “We felt like we wanted to put as much of who we are and where we’re from into this album as possible. We wanted to make it scream ‘California.’”

Opened by the crunchy fuzz of guitar riff, steady beat and bright brass pips on “Rock ‘N’ Roll Cocaine,” Andrew’s rich voice enters to spin commanding leads lifted by soulful backing vocals. Serving up a gritty rock groover wrapped in upbeat vibes and cut with instantly catchy vocal hooks, it’s a memorable jam that sees Andrew Browning channel his classic rock influences and filter them through his own unique sonic lens.

“Preachers of Doom,” arrives with breezy guitar leads and vibrant organ tones and lively vocalisations, setting up a bouncy surf rock-inflected outing that shines with timeless aesthetic and uplifting energy. With “Rose Avenue And Main Street,” an uptempo bluesy rock sound swells before Andrew’s buoyant vocals glide in to deliver infectious melodic leads above, resulting in a charming pop-focused rock sound that’s impossible not to love.

The latest single comes with the title track “Love Is A Beautiful Thing,” a song penned about the chaotic nature of life, especially in the modern world. With a mellow rhythm and soft guitar twangs, Andrew’s songwriting flair and poignant lyricism is brought to life by a delicate arrangement that blends classic rock stylings with subtle country tinges to deliver a meaningful and heartfelt anthem.

Other highlights include the country rock style “Falling To Pieces” where bright piano flutters, warm guitar rhythms and laid back drums are capped by Andrew’s superb vocal performance to deliver a delightful moment on the album. Closing the record with the lead single “Econoline,” the last track serves up a dose of rousing rock brimming with gritty guitar work and lofty choruses with lyrics recounting stories of escapism, adventure and finding peace in unlikely situations, concluding this sensational album with an epic slice of Andrew Browning and the 9 Pound Hammers’ storming rock sound.

Listen to Love Is A Beautiful Thing below