iC1s – WHAT TOOK YOUSO LONG ALBUM REVIEW

‘What Took You So Long?’, a fitting name for an album that took over a decade to complete
and release.

London band iC1s began working on their debut album in 2014, and here we are with the release in October 2025. Was the wait worth it, or has it held the album back?

The riotous and turbulent band, consisting of Daniel Coburn (Vocals), Jesse James (Guitar),John Campbell (Guitar), Jake Osman (Bass) and Andy Faulkner (Drums), formed in 2010 and swiftly announced themselves as one of the most energetic and highly exciting-to-watch live bands of the era. Touring with acts such as The View, Buzzcocks and DMAs. Also receiving praise from Alan McGee of Creation Records, Mark Beaumont of NME and signing for Gary Powell’s (The Libertines) label 25 Hour Convenience Store.

But why could they never get the album over the line? In 2014, they entered the studio with acclaimed producer Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian) to record their debut album, before legal battles with former management led to the album being shelved and the band splitting.

Cue a decade later and the band reformed in November 2024 to play a one-off sold-out reunion show at Camden Assembly. This marked a pivotal moment in the band’s history and by January 2025 the full original lineup was recording in the studio and ‘What Took You So Long’ was born/reborn.

Leading into the album, the band released a trio of singles. The first of these was “Wack Jack’, which intros with a slow melodic build up, before the signature slamming punk guitar sound takes precedence.

The next release was the album closer, ‘Soul on Trial’. This song is entwined with emotional lyrics sung in Coburn’s signature raspy tone and meandering verses leading up to the big chorus. This song was written by guitarist James and is tipped by the band as the tune that led to the reunion.

The final single release, ‘Levitate’, originally released in 2011, is an upbeat number taking advantage of Coburns gravelly and fervent lyrics battling against the upbeat fast-paced guitar rhythm.

The album opens with the lively-tempoed ‘Armada’. It’s like the band has never been away, as this anthem plants the picture of a huge crowd thrashing to the chorus inside your head. Coburn cries “If it’s loose lips that sinks ships, well I’m taking down a whole Armada”.

The album includes the lively, vivacious and riff packed ‘Don’t change’. The catchy chorus chants “Don’t change. Never change. Keeping everything exactly the same.”. This fades into ‘In the End’. A combative tune that taps in the essence of the band’s working-class background.

Overall, this long overdue album was exactly that. More than a comeback, this captures everything iC1s were about in the early 2010’s and brings it into the modern day. Catchy choruses and vivacious riffs combined with lively drums. The perfect coming of age debut, a decade on.

iC1s will play their biggest headline show to date Dingwalls, London on Saturday 8th November.

Track Listing