Ten months in the making. Every riff, every chorus, every last ounce of energy poured into it. All Bets Are Off from London 5-piece Maze is a record built with intent and precision.
Recorded at Crunch Studios, under the guidance of producer Alan Charles Smith, this second album captures a band refusing to stand still..
It lands on May 15th, the same day as their biggest headline show at London’s iconic Scala. That’s not coincidence, that’s belief and confidence in this record.
Because this isn’t an album that doesn’t play it safe. It’s a multi-genre album, that draws from punk energy, mod attitude and indie’s melodic core, yet never loses sight of what makes Maze, Maze.
Here’s the ThisIsTheMusic song-by song breakdown.
I Know You Know
The first single released back in 2025, it’s Maze in full flow, melodic, driving guitars, tight rhythms and a vocal that cuts through with urgency. The verses are built around a rumbling bass line and drums, that has a knowing swagger, like a band knowing they are onto something special. The chorus feels built for the summer and there’s a Britpop swagger that Maze have made there own. A proper opener and a real sign of what’s to come.
I’ve Got A Feeling
The most recent single and it feels like a defining Maze song.its built around a soaring anthemic chorus, that frontmanGary Davis declared as his favourite song and had that Britpop thing going on (ThisIsTheMusic meets podcast). The driving guitars and relentless rhythms give the song its momentum, while the vocal really gives the feel of belief and urgency. Beneath the hooks, the track captures the excitement and uncertainty of chasing something bigger, making it impossible not to get swept up in its energy.
Take Me Back
Powered by jagged guitars, that cut through the song with bite, Take Me Back, is unusual in as much as it it starts off with the songs title as the opening lyric (think Some Might Say, although that’s where the comparisons end). The chorus hook “Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should” is a sharp observation on temptation and reckless decisions and the realisation that not every opportunity or desire is worth chasing.
Anything From You sees Maze, lean into a darker, more tension filled sound. The song is driven by sharp guitars and a tight pulsing rhythm section, that gives the song real conviction, whilst the vocal rawness ensuring every line land with conviction, capturing the frustration and desperation that can come from wanting more from someone than they’re willing to give. That is what gives the song its tension and edge, before a punchy hook-filled chorus breaks through.
Beside Me sees Maze drop the pace down and would presumably mark the end of side A of any future vinyl release. It opens with acoustic guitar accompanied by a sweeping violin. Instantly giving the song a more emotional feel. It’s a different side to Maze, more restrained and reflected, but the song still maintains the theme of the album. As the track builds towards the chorus, layered instrumental, including the violin and heartfelt vocal give it real depth. A beautifully crafted song that shows can still hit hard with ballads.
Ziggy is a wiry, urgent blast of indie rock, built on jagged guitars, propulsive bass lines and a vocal that balances grit with vulnerability. There’s a restless energy running through the track, with riffs that snapping and dart, while the rhythm section drives everything forward with intent. It’s punchy and packed with attitude and is the perfect way to enter the second half of the album.
Punky heavy- sounding guitars, burst into tue soundscape of Walk Away, before morphing into an infectious guitar hook that instantly lodges itself into your head. There’s an urgency to the track from those opening bars, but Maze balance that raw energy with a huge melodic payoff. The chorus is pure indie optimism, imploring you to stick around because better days are coming. It’s uplifting without feeling g forced, carried by a vocal delivery full of conviction and belief. A huge part of the tracks momentum comes the drums, which knits everything together, whilst driving the instrumentals forward with energy and acts as the songs heartbeat.
Wired For Noise explodes into life, with buzzing guitars, pounding drums and rumbling basslines. It feels urgent and chaotic in the best possible way; raw, loud and alive. The guitars crackle with energy throughout, shifting between sharp riffs and distortion and a Hammond-style organ that adds texture and additional depth to the chorus. The chant like chorus of “I’m wired for noise” hits with mantra-like repetition, making it impossible not to be belting this out. There’s also time for a guest appearance from Alfie Knapman on vocals, which adds as a bridge between the penultimate chorus before bringing us back to the outro that just builds into a brilliant display of musicianship.
Four Seasons is pure euphoria. Driving guitars, soaring melodies and a chorus that’s impossible not to sing along too. Maze tap into that timeless British swagger here, but it sounds fresh and exciting too. Beneath that energy, the song reflects on life’s ups and downs, using shifting seasons as a metaphor for change and uncertainty.
One Day At A Time is a closing statement with real weight. It ensures the album finishes on an uplifting and reflective note. It’s built around driving instrumentals and a soaring sense of release, the track carries real emotional warmth, without losing any of the energy that runs throughout All Bets Are Off. The chorus lyric, “You’ve got love in your heart, you’ve got love for everyone”, lands like a rallying call, hopeful, unifying and full of sincerity. There’s time for a quite magnificent outro, that elevates the track.
Psychedelic guitars swirl around pounding drums as wah-wah pedals surge to the forefront, adding a hazy, almost hypnotic intensity to the closing moments. The drums gradually quicken with every beat, building tension and momentum before the track erupts into one final roar of “you’ve got love for everyone.” It’s a huge, cinematic ending that leaves the album on a feeling of optimism, unity, and release, the perfect closing statement to All Bets Are Off.
With All Bets Are Off, Maze haven’t just raised their game—they’ve delivered the kind of album that can change everything.
Across ten tracks, the London 5-piece fuse punk urgency, mod swagger, indie hooks and psychedelic flourishes into a record that feels restless, ambitious, and completely alive. Every song hits with its own identity, yet together they capture a band growing in confidence and embracing the scale of what they’re capable of. From the euphoric rush of I’ve Got A Feeling, to the wiry tension of Ziggy, and the emotionally charged finale of One Day At A Time, All Bets Are Off is packed with songs built to explode in front of a crowd.
The timing couldn’t be better. Released on the same day as their largest headline show to date at London’s iconic Scala, the album feels less like another step forward and more like the start of something much bigger.
Some bands spend years searching for the record that defines them. Maze sound like they’ve found theirs.
If All Bets Are Off proves anything, it’s this:
Maze aren’t the future of indie rock anymore, they’re the here and now.
All Bets Are Off is released on Friday 15th May.
Tickets for Maze at Scala are on sale here.
ThisIsTheMusic meets podcast with amazed is out now on You Tube, Spotify and Apple.
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