Dogstar
All In Now
Sometimes you go to a gig because you’re asked to. Or someone hands you the ticket. Sometimes you go to a gig to see a real Hollywood star. Sometimes it leads to an album review. What else is there to say?
I was given a ticket to Dogstar’s Prague gig and decided to go knowing one thing and one thing only about the band: Keanu Reeves is in it and plays the bass. The band’s music genre, singer, drummer, and anything else were a complete mystery.
The less I knew, the more surprises came after the first few guitar strokes and the energy that followed. The performance was fun, cosy, good vibes, and something I didn’t know I needed. When I was leaving, I knew I had to write about the gig and recommend the tour to everyone – so don’t forget to check the dates. Or have a closer look at the new album, All In Now.
Dogstar are an alternative rock band. The album’s sound gives away subgenre influences, from post-grunge to post-punk. The guitar sound is strong and confident. Picture the ‘90s but slightly updated for 2026 (or 2077).
Don’t quote me on it but comparing All In Now to their 2023 comeback album Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees, the recent one feels heavier and punchier, a progression I appreciate.
The tracklist is strong, making the first listen a good and addictive experience. I’ve been coming back to the opener, ‘Math’, and a few others, such as ‘All In Now’, ‘Joy’, ‘The Whisper’, or ‘Exalted’, but the list changes every time I hit the play button.
‘Math’ is not only the album’s opener but also the proof of confidence. The first 35 seconds feel like the guitar profesores are back in town assuring you these guys can play. Calm, focused. Then the second song, ‘The Sphere’, hits and changes the mood to a brighter, faster-paced melodic tone. The grooviness of the piece is infectious. ‘All In Now’ is a neatly compact guitar parade of buzzing energy while ‘The Whisper’ could easily become a major radio hit thanks both to the micro-story and deliberate 90s sound. Many will find ‘Exalted’ to be the most unforgettable track. Among others, I’d recommend ‘Shards of Rain’ as the first tune brings up the best The Cure memories as well.
All In Now has got it all in its recipe for a good rock album – love, expectations, yearning, and, of course, disappointment.
Don’t get me wrong, though, the Dogstar’s album won’t give you anything new, surprising, or make you jump with emotions. It doesn’t bring anything new to the vast pool of alternative rock music. Yet, the album is subtle, slowly building a familiar cosiness and intimacy you’ll eventually fall for.
If anything, I can guarantee you one thing – it’ll give you plenty of joy because what the music does, it does brilliantly.
It’s got a film star but that won’t matter once you’ve listened to a few tracks. It’s a solid album I’m keeping on the rotation and an eye on the future of Dogstar.
All In Now is the album of the first half of 2026 for me.
Written by Vinklarek on
