Michael Monroe – ‘Outerstellar’

Michael Monroe – Rock N Roll
Silver Lining Music | Released – February 20th 2026

Standby for some true rock ‘n’ roll in all its cock-sure, swagger-drenched glory. There are few artists who embody the spirit of rock quite like Michael Monroe, and on Rock N Roll, he proves once again that age, trends, and shifting scenes mean absolutely nothing when you’ve got attitude, hooks, and a band firing on all cylinders.

Having caught Monroe tearing it up at the Call Of The Wild Festival last year, it was already clear that he and his band of brothers are operating at a level most acts can only dream of. That same ferocious live energy bleeds into every second of this record, making it feel less like a studio album and more like a sweat-soaked club show bottled and delivered straight to your speakers.

Opener ‘Rockin’ Horse’ doesn’t hang around. After a brief tease, it explodes into a snot-nosed, middle-finger-raised rocker that immediately grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. It’s raw, punchy, and dripping with attitude—setting the tone perfectly for what follows. There’s no overthinking here, just pure instinct and execution.

‘Shinola’ follows and sharpens the blade even further. Short, sharp, and lethal, it’s built around a chorus that feels instantly timeless—one of those anthems you’ll still be shouting along to years down the line. Monroe has always had a knack for melody buried beneath grit, and this is a prime example.

Things take a darker turn with ‘Black Cadillac’, introduced by squalling feedback before settling into a slower, more menacing groove. The call-and-response vocals add a layer of grit and theatre, while the gang backing vocals on the chorus give it that communal, fists-in-the-air feel. It’s a track that oozes cool without trying too hard.

‘When The Apocalypse Comes’ showcases a different side to Monroe’s songwriting. There’s a storytelling quality here that leans into a Bruce Springsteen-esque style, blending heartland rock sensibilities with Monroe’s streetwise edge. It’s reflective without losing its bite—a tricky balance that’s handled effortlessly.

Then comes ‘Painless’, which shifts gears again. There’s an alt-rock flavour running through it, with subtle eastern-tinged nuances that give the track a unique texture. It’s one of the album’s more experimental moments, but it never strays too far from the core identity—this is still unmistakably Monroe.

If you’re craving pure punk attitude, ‘Newtro Bombs’ delivers in spades. Channeling the spirit of Sham 69, it’s an Oi!-fuelled blast of defiance, packed with gang vocals and snarling energy. It’s raw, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically confrontational.

‘Disconnected’ flips the script again, bringing in a more melodic, almost power-pop sensibility that wouldn’t feel out of place alongside The Wildhearts. It’s bright, infectious, and shows Monroe’s versatility without sacrificing the album’s overall momentum.

The snarl returns with ‘Precious’, a pissed-off stomper that leans heavily into attitude and aggression. There’s a real bite to this one, with a vocal delivery that sounds genuinely fired up—less performance, more catharsis.

‘Pushin’ Me Back’ hits with emotional weight, a heartbreaker that still manages to rock like hell. It’s a reminder that Monroe’s strength isn’t just in high-octane chaos, but also in crafting songs that carry genuine feeling beneath the surface.

A change of pace arrives with ‘Glitter And Dust’, an acoustic-led moment that strips things back without losing impact. It’s reflective, slightly melancholic, and offers a breather before the final stretch—proving that sometimes less really is more.

That calm doesn’t last long, as ‘Rode To Ruin’ drags us straight back into the gutter with a blast of dirty garage rock. It’s loose, ragged, and gloriously unpolished—the kind of track that feels like it could fall apart at any moment, yet never does.

Closing track ‘One More Sunrise’ is the album’s most ambitious moment, stretching past the seven-minute mark and diving into expansive alt-rock territory. It builds, evolves, and breathes in a way the shorter tracks don’t, acting as a fitting finale that leaves a lasting impression long after the final note fades.

What stands out across Rock N Roll is its consistency and honesty. Most tracks clock in under three and a half minutes, and not a second feels wasted. There’s no filler, no unnecessary studio trickery—just great songs, killer hooks, and a band that knows exactly what it’s doing.

This is the true essence of rock ‘n’ roll: loud, unapologetic, and effortlessly cool. Michael Monroe and his band make it sound easy—but that’s only because they’ve mastered the craft.

Track List:
Rockin’ Horse
Shinola
Black Cadillac
When The Apocalypse Comes
Painless
Newtro Bombs
Disconnected
Precious
Pushin’ Me Back
Glitter And Dust
Rode To Ruin
One More Sunrise