I am finally doing some actual work today. Earlier I couldn’t do much because my cat decided to sit on me and refuse to move, so I was forced into a lazy Saturday of reading and shooting zombies on my phone. I also went out to get a Nintendo Switch for my teenage son — he deserves it as he is working really hard for his upcoming exams — so everything on the home front is peaceful! But as evening becomes night, I am geared up for a review, and a new album by The Milk Men may be just the right way to wind down the day.
Band Line Up:
Jamie Smy–Vocals, Backing Vocals
Adam Norsworthy–Guitars,Backing Vocals,Piano,Keyboards
Lloyd Green–Bass Guitar
Mike Roberts-Drums
Before the review, here is some press release information on the album:
‘The Milky Way’s album cover is designed by Mark Wilkinson, a legend of album cover art having done classic album covers for legends including Iron Maiden, Marillion, Judge Dredd,Judas Priest, and many more.Lead singer Jamie Smy says: “To have Mark illustrate an album cover for The Milk Men is a dream come true for the band, especially as his artwork adorned my and Adam’s childhood bedrooms. Armed only with the thinnest of briefs to create a picture of the band in outer space, Mark has created an iconic image that now sits alongside ‘Misplaced Childhood’, ‘The Book of Souls’ and ‘Painkiller’ as one of his greatest and most imaginative album designs!”
The last few years have seen the band’s reputation soar, with a UK Blues Challenge final spot, countless award nominations, and festival headline appearances all over the UK. Their fan base has grown considerably, in no small part due to the band’s joyous, dynamic live shows and hook-laden original blues rock albums.
As a result,”The Milky Way” is now one of the most eagerly-anticipated blues-rock releases of the year.Its eleven tracks, all penned by the band, take in blues, bluesrock and rock in all its hues, from the heavy riff-tastic drive of “Down in the Hole,” to the gloriously melodic “Loving You Baby.” It’s all classic Milk Men.
“The last studio album was lean, tough and punchy,”says Adam.“ And we loved it, but we wanted a bit more colour on this one, more shades between all the rock’n’roll. We’re a little looser on this record, it feels a bit like we have let our hair down–or what we have left of it!–and had more obvious fun.”
The album was engineered by James Horwood at Sound lab Studios in Loughton, North London, and then the tracks were handed over to Adam and Wayne Proctor, who set about creating The Milky Way‘s vibe–a galaxy of cracking tunes that all rely on a classic drum beat, a guitar riff, a bass lick and a rasping rock’ n’roll vocal.’
The band are on tour in 2026, I include a link at the end of the review to their website which has all the tour information on, ticket sales etc. They are great live and I’d grab a ticket soon!
My Review:
The album was released on May 15, 2026. It has 11 songs and runs to just under 36 minutes. It is out on all platforms now.
“Waiting For Some Rock’n’Roll” is a funky little number to get the party started. It has a catchy chorus connected with some harmony in the backing vocals and a very light radio friendly vibe. A very likeable track, got me in the mood instantly. I could also see this going live with a clap along audience interaction, it is an instant shot of sugar into my diet.
“Son Of A Gun” has more of an old style rock n’ roll song with a sixties feel. It has the band in a very positive groove, the fun they are having in the studio comes out in these opening numbers.
“Down In The Hole” was one I liked as it opens with this heavier riff and the drum beat/bass works really well to give more of a fist thumping vibe. It is a darker, slower and dirtier sound.
“Loving You Baby” changes direction and brings us a ballad that, for some reason, reminded me of Rod Stewart. It works really well and keeps me invested in the album as a whole. I’ve been a bit down this week after losing someone close to me, but so far The Milk Men have genuinely lifted my mood.
“Give It Up” – at 2.17 this song absolutely races along. It is a nifty rocker and Mike Roberts gives a great turn on the drums. We get up and give it up for the week-end – “put your faith in a loud guitar” (as Gene Simmons would say!).
“Little Devil” – if the album cover shows The Milk Men heading into space, then this is the track I’d listen to at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I can picture myself sitting in a back booth with Doctor Who as a companion from eras 5, 6, 8 or 9, a couple of aliens, a cold Dr Pepper, and this playing in the background.
“Another You” is a more stripped back and acoustic song. It is a song about missing the one special person we find in life but then let slip away. A bit of camp-fire melancholy blues to welcome the moon and the setting of the sun.
“Jimmy The Weasel” is lyrically fun and has plenty of “na-na-na” to enjoy. An interesting title and a song that leads us toward the closing tracks on the album.
“Nothing On You” returns The Milk Men to a harder rock edge. They are very capable of creating interesting AOR with a blues guitar influence. There is a lot going on here instrumentally, with creative arrangements and a particularly strong bass presence.
“I’ve Been Losing” keeps up a fast beat and a dream of a life with a Maserati! This is an easy going rock number with a neat chorus that stomps along toward the album closer.
“Evergreen” is the longest track on the album, and the closer. It has some great guitar work from Adam Norsworthy and the introduction of the Hammond organ adds texture to the piece.
So…I enjoyed this a lot. Definitely an album I will play again. And, sometimes music arrives at exactly the right moment. This week has been difficult for me personally, but for 36 minutes The Milk Men provided colour, energy and a reminder of how comforting a really enjoyable rock album can be. The Milky Way is packed with personality and absolutely worth the ride.
Above image created by Rock the Joint Magazine.
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Stream music from The Milk Men here
Band Website which includes full tour information here
By Anna-Louise Burgess
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