Silver Lining Music
Punk-glam veteran Michael Monroe has returned with “Outerstellar”, a record without pretense and which embraces the primal joy of guitars, harmonica and infectious hooks. Monroe and his longtime collaborators—guitarist Steve Conte, drummer Karl Rockfist and bassist Sami Yaffa—deliver tight performances that never feel too polished.
The twelve tracks contain high-octane anthems such as the opener “Rockin’ Horse” and “Newtro Bombs”. There is also the punchy single “Disconnected” which mixes social commentary with driving guitars and harmonica. There are contrasts too, songs like “Precious” raise your spirits, while “Painless” and “Pushin’ Me Back” dial into more controlled, melodic territory, and the acoustic “Glitter & Dust” offers a reflective change of pace, a three-minute retreat where softer textures give the album emotional breadth. It’s a track Alice Cooper could have sang. The closing seven minute epic “One More Sunrise” stretches out with a piano section, showing Monroe’s willingness to expand his palette.
Classic garage rock ’n’ roll containing a mix of stompers and thoughtful mid-tempo cuts. No overproduction, no frills, just attitude and swagger, melody and punch. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t have to.
4.5/6 | Anne-Marie Forker
Release date: 20 February 2026