I first became aware of German trio Daily Thompson through their 2020 album Oumuamua and the song “She’s So Cold.” I still have that song on heavy rotation.
6 years later, and 12 years after their self-titled debut, they’ve only gotten better with their 7th studio album, Glue.
Quick Pulse
- Label: Nois-O-Lution
- Released: 8/21/2026
- Genre: Alternative / Grunge
- Website: dailythompson.com
Daily Thompson Expertly Blends Alt and Grunge With Glue
Daily Thompson’s intensity doesn’t let up. The trio has put together an impressive discography in 12 years, and Glue proves the band has no intention of slowing down.
Singer and guitarist Danny Zaremba, bassist Mercedes Lalakakis-Bee and drummer Thorsten “Babblz“ Stratmann drew heavy inspiration from the Seattle grunge scene of the 1990s.
Glue is much more than an attempt at reproducing that sound though. Sure, the massive, fuzzy guitars and melodic hooks are there, but this is Daily Thompson’s version of it, and it belongs in 2026.
Recorded in Seattle (the heart of grunge’s legacy) in January of this year with acclaimed producer (and guest musician) Tony Reed, Glue is Daily Thompson at their most confident, raw, and personal.
Glue’s Best Moments
Each song on Glue stands on its own. No filler here, though a few tracks stand out.
“Chains” is an 8-minute song and I wouldn’t complain if it was 10. It’s easy to get lost in Zaremba’s vocals and fuzzy guitar. By song’s end, you’ll find your goosebumps growing and your hand constantly reaching to add more volume.
The guitar work on “Chains” gets into your soul, and just as you’re settling in for the journey, the tempo shifts at the 5:40 mark. At this point you know you’re not coasting into the finish; you’re just holding onto your seat as Daily Thompson proceeds to blow your mind.
“Chains” just knocked “She’s So Cold” off its pedestal as my favorite Daily Thompson song.
“BTK” is bassist Lalakakis-Bee’s first-time singing lead for a whole song. You don’t hear too many songs about serial killers, but it works here.
Dennis Rader, aka the “BTK Killer” murdered 10 people in Kansas between 1974 and 1991. The song doesn’t glorify what Rader did, however. “BTK” is from the perspective of a victim and takes us through the emotional journey that would entail.
The album closes out with a love song. A love song done Daily Thompson style though. Make no mistake, they’re not about to get mellow on us. “Lovebugs” has plenty of grungy guitar and fuzzy bass.
Full of delicious guitar riffs, tempo changes and punchy snare, “Lovebugs” gives us a closer that leaves us smiling and ready to start over from the beginning.
Glue Is Their Best Work Yet
Not to toss any shade on Daily Thompson’s previous work, because it was good. But I don’t hesitate to say that Glue is the most raw and personal album they’ve released.
Rawness and intensity are missing in a lot of modern music, and Daily Thompson has delivered just that. After listening, you’re not going to think “that was polished”; you’re going to think “that was intense.”
