I blame Gemma. Let’s get that out of the way straight away.
Her last major musical recommendation to me was Fleetwood Mac. We all know how that ended. I’m now well over £1,000 lighter thanks to buying their vinyl, hunting down different releases, tribute act gig tickets and generally disappearing headfirst into a Fleetwood Mac shaped rabbit hole.
So when she suggested I listen to Bleachers, I was understandably wary. Especially as I knew absolutely nothing about them.
Well, that’s not quite true. It turns out Bleachers had actually been recommended to me before. Giggsy told me about them in 2020 and Coxy had another go in 2024.
I ignored them both. Why? Because they were “new music”.
Yes, I know. Whoops. My ridiculous aversion to discovering anything recorded this side of 1997 had struck again. So apologies to Giggsy and Coxy. You were right.
I’ll give them a listen, I thought. Just a listen. Oh dear.
Down the Rabbit Hole
This is the problem with me and music. There doesn’t appear to be a sensible middle setting. When I go in, I go ALL IN.
Fast forward and I’ve bought all the Bleachers records, secured tickets to see them in London and I’m now working my way through their history, reading about the band, discovering the stories behind the songs and learning all the stuff that proper Bleachers fans have probably known for years.
And I’m loving it. There’s something brilliant about discovering a band from scratch. I’m not pretending to be an expert. Far from it. I’m still learning.
Every album brings another song I didn’t know. Every bit of reading sends me somewhere else. Then I’ll discover a live version of something and disappear down yet another rabbit hole.
But one album has completely taken over. Everyone for Ten Minutes.
Listen to Everyone for Ten Minutes on Spotify: Bleachers – Everyone for Ten Minutes on Spotify
My Album of 2026
It’s my most played album of 2026 so far and I can’t really see that being topped.
I keep going back to it. At home, out on the bike, walking about, whenever I get the chance really. Sometimes I’ll finish the album and pop it straight back on again.
I’ve read reviews that aren’t quite as enthusiastic about it. Fair enough. They’re wrong.
Well, obviously they’re not. That’s the wonderful thing about music. We all hear something different. But for me, this album just works.
There are sad songs. Euphoric songs. Songs where I’m still discovering little bits buried away after countless listens. And there are songs that just make me want to whack the volume up.
Which brings me to the almost impossible task of picking my five favourites.
The Verso Top Five
5. I Can’t Believe You’re Gone
This has crept up the rankings. I don’t think it would have made my five after the first few listens, but now I absolutely love it. One of the more emotional moments on the album and one that seems to get better every time.
4. We Should Talk
Ridiculously catchy. I’ve quickly discovered that Bleachers are rather good at making something sound wonderfully joyous while something quite different is happening underneath.
3. I’m Not Joking
LOVE THIS. That’s your in-depth Verso musical analysis. Turn it up.
Then we get to the top two. I’ve tried separating them. I can’t.
1=. You and Forever
Absolutely bloody glorious. Big, uplifting and one of those songs I already can’t wait to hear live in London.
1=. Dirty Wedding Dress
If you forced me to pick my absolute favourite track from the album, I’d probably say Dirty Wedding Dress. Probably.
It’s slightly bonkers, ridiculously catchy and one of those songs where the opening few seconds instantly improve my mood.
So it’s a tie. I’m allowed. It’s my blog. And ask me again in a month’s time and there’s every chance the whole top five will have changed anyway.
Thanks, Gemma. I Think.
The funny thing is that a few months ago I knew virtually nothing about Bleachers. Now I own the records, I’m reading everything I can find about them and I’ve got tickets to see them live.
And I’m still discovering them. That’s possibly my favourite part of the whole thing. There is still loads for me to find.
So, firstly, an overdue apology to Giggsy, who recommended Bleachers to me back in 2020, and Coxy, who tried again in 2024. You were both right. I was wrong. My “new music” policy may need reviewing.
Then there’s Gemma. She’s now two for two with Fleetwood Mac and Bleachers. Unfortunately, this also means her recommendations are becoming financially dangerous.
So I’ve come up with a new rule. I’ll happily listen to her next recommendation. But only if the band has released three LPs or fewer.
Anything more than that and I’m not interested. I’ve got two new cats to feed. Although, knowing me, I’ll ignore this rule completely, listen anyway and be back here in six months explaining why I’ve just bought another band’s entire back catalogue.
Anyway, Everyone for Ten Minutes gets the full five Verso stars. ★★★★★
My album of 2026 so far. But I really can’t see anything beating it.