Simon RushworthSheffield’s Lightning Threads have just wrapped May’s Trinkets headline tour — playing 14 dates in 28 days across the UK. May’s Vinyl Of The Month pick focuses on one of Britain’s fastest-rising blues rock powerhouses.
Piano-led instrumental With A Heavy Heart is one of the most wonderful things we’ve heard all year: anyone still wondering whether Steel City blues brothers Lightning Threads lack the wow factor really needn’t worry.
Kicking off side two of Trinkets’ marvellously conceived gatefold vinyl version, it’s a bullish statement of intent from a thrilling three-piece snapping at the heels of High Fade, Jack J Hutchinson and Kris Barras.
Lightning Threads tread the fine line between self-confident and cocksure but Tom Jane, Sam Burgum and Hugh Butler have every right to believe that what they’ve created here is something truly special.
Something worth shouting about. Something worth celebrating.
Sitting somewhere between the blues rock greats of the late 60s and the NWOCR’s scene leaders, the trio ooze unflinching quality and swaggering class.
And it’s no slight on frontman Jane to suggest With A Heavy Heart best represents the beating heart of a band screaming visceral potential.
On vinyl, Trinkets is a true treasure of a record.
The first run of the band’s latest wax is packaged in a cut-out sleeve that highlights the ‘trinkets’ attached to each song. There’s a certain satisfaction sliding the inner sleeve back into position and lining up vintage toy trucks, compasses, ornaments and more.
It’s not as if Lightning Threads need a gimmick to complement the music (far from it) but it’s a creative touch that’s cool as fuck.
Side one features five bona fide barnstormers: opener Nowhere To Go sets out the Lightning Threads stall without compromise. It’s a weighty beast of a track that brings Burgum’s bass and Butler’s drums to the fore in fabulous style.
Wild One and What Can I Say maintain the pace but allow the band to breathe. Just occasionally it’s easy forget this is a three-piece — the wall of noise generated by peak Lightning Threads is a thunderous amalgam of Cream, The Doors and The Karma Effect.
Rags & Riches and What A Fever Does wrap up a sensational side one — the latter’s line ‘What a fever does/about to turn your love back into lust’ captures the mood of a record that’s delightfully addictive.
With A Heavy Heart might well eclipse the very best of side two’s picks but it’s a close run thing. The stirring Devil Inside Me’s quarried from blues rock’s storied past and given a thumping Lightning Threads spin.
Trinkets deserves to be heard on vinyl and enjoyed one all-consuming track — and side — at a time.
Don’t rush this 2026 Record Of The Year contender. Savour it slowly and it’ll grow on you fast.
