‘Null’ is the tenth album by ASSEMBLAGE 23 and with it, their mainman Tom Shear shows no signs of waning in his creative muse.
Titled around the concept of “zero” or “nothing” being either positive or negative depending on the context, while Shear’s deeply personal and relatable lyrical gists remain, ‘Null’ provides more wider social commentary than in the past and reflecting on the fact that the world has gone crazy!
The fine trancey opener ‘Believe’ accepts that the world is cold, indifferent and cruel with pain delegated yet there is still the will to believe in hope. The resigned but powerfully vibrant ‘Lunatics’ reflects that they really have taken over the asylum.
With a sonic affinity to DIE KRUPPS’ electro alter-egos DIE ROBO SAPIENS, this is a rallying call against those in power and the oligarchs funding them. The media are complicit in spreading the messages of the monster raving loony far right but the fact is Nazis are bad and Charlie Kirk was a vile racist. So the fight begins now to get the world back before it is too late…
With a stark Mittel Europa chill, ‘Gone’ laments on loss despite the energetic stomp, reflecting on how as you age, one of the unfortunate things about that is the list of people who you know and who die grows. ‘Fuel’ adds something of an Italo bounce to the pessimism as the contrasts make a rousing pairing but Shear continues to know how to do a chorus.
The spikier speedier drive of ‘Tolerate’ highlights why ASSEMBLAGE 23 filled underground dancefloors at start of the 21st Century. Inspired by The Paradox Of Intolerance, Shear said in an interview with ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK: “If you tolerate intolerance, then tolerance will cease to exist because the intolerance will wipe it out. So the point is, somebody who considers themselves tolerant has a limit… that line, once it’s crossed”
‘Normal’ takes things down to a less frantic pace but while possessing a machine groove, Shear expresses his desire for more certainty and normality his life as the synths ring out. The punchy cut and thrust of ‘Last’ stuns the mind, displaying an affinity with MESH in its piercing drama. Galloping mightily to ‘The Line’ with hints of DEPECHE MODE’s ‘Halo’, this blend of dark electronic pop influences provides another standout full of resigned drama when “it doesn’t matter anyway…”
The call to ‘Overthrow’ is strong with jagged backing to match in this electro-rock romp that parties like it’s 2002 again while the closer ‘Waited’ is classic ASSEMBLAGE 23 and what Shear’s fans love him for, with equal measures of heartfelt soul-bearing, synth hooks galore and driving club-friendly beats.
The future might be bleak but the resistance starts now. With its on-point social commentary, ‘Null’ ranks among the best of ASSEMBLAGE 23’s albums and provides a soundtrack to help navigate around and against the ensuing chaos.
‘Null’ is released by Metropolis Records on 7th November 2025 as a CD, vinyl LP + download via https://assemblage23.bandcamp.com/album/null
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Text by Chi Ming Lai
6th November 2025
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