Album Review: Francis Rossi - The Accidental (2026, earMUSIC)
- Stuart Ball
- 1 minute ago
- 4 min read
Written: 18th January 2026
To any fan of rock over the last fifty years, Francis Rossi, who has now quite likely reached national treasure status, needs no introduction. As part of The Spectres, Status Quo and latterly with his solo material, he has been releasing music since the year England last won the World Cup! The Accidental is Rossi’s first album in seven years and the title mirrors the circumstances that led to the album’s creation. “This truly came out of nowhere,” says Rossi. “I spend my life in and out of the studio, rehearsing, tinkering but something happened earlier this year (2025) and, before I knew it, we had created something special.”
From the outset, it is worth saying, perhaps unsurprisingly, that fans hoping for the harder-rocking Quo of the 1970s will, on the whole, find this material too gentle to truly satisfy their expectations. However, to those seeking an engaging rock record, Rossi’s unmistakable guitar tone and some genuinely well‑crafted songs will find a release that offers plenty of character throughout.
Much Better kicks off the album in solid style with its engaging riff and feisty solo. There is definitely enough here to get your foot tapping from the first note. Go Man Go takes a classic Quo boogie rock approach and keeps you smiling. Lyrically, the album never ventures into complexity or intricate ideas. Instead, it focuses on the experiences of ordinary people with Go Man Go emphasising that regardless of fatigue, hard work, repetition and determination lead to success. Feel good walking home / Work through day is done / No more pushing in (pushing in, pushing in) / 'Cause I'm all done with it (done with it, done with it).
Push Comes To Shove begins with a rhythm reminiscent of The Clash’s London Calling and maintains the album’s upbeat mood and tempo. Rossi plays to his strengths and while it never threatens to become gritty, the sound of a band truly having fun shines through, as it does throughout The Accidental. The band consists of guitarist Hiran Ilangantilike, originally a school friend of Rossi’s children, Status Quo members John “Rhino” Edwards (bassist) and Leon Cave (drummer), and backing singer Amy Smith.
Channelling some elements of ZZ Top, the first of two tracks co-written with Bob Young - Back On Our Home Ground, slows the pace and ramps up the blues. Understated and refined, it underlines the easy relationship between the songwriters that goes back over fifty years. Dead of Night is straightforwardly plain but Going Home is a much better melding of higher tempo and bluesy, jaunty piano. Bye My Love – the second contribution from Bob Young - is another song that could be a latter day Quo track and the guitar solo adds a little spice to the mix.
Something In The Air (Stormy Weather) – one of the best tracks here – has more bite, swagger and sense of adventure than many of the surrounding songs, introducing a slightly darker, more sinister undertone. The album would have benefited from another track or two in this vein as it adds welcome contrast and depth without sacrificing the strong craftsmanship that runs throughout. Picture Perfect – another strong song - serves as a showcase of Rossi’s instinct for writing songs that draw you in and deliver an irresistible sense of rhythm and flow. November Again – where Rhino Edwards ensures we nod our heads in appreciation – keeps us engaged, the blend of acoustic and electric guitar adding a different hue. Together, these three tracks expand the album’s tonal palette and introduce a sense of variety that keeps the listening experience engaging, making this section the most interesting part of the record.
Things Will Get Better and Oh So Good continue the flow with tracks that feel assured and well put together, even if they do not venture into the same exploratory territory as the preceding trio. Penultimate track, the six-minute Beautiful World, is another strong contender for the album’s standout moment and will leave long-time Quo fans grinning, particularly in its closing section. It is a straight-ahead, stomping boogie rock number that brings together everything that makes this record so appealing. The opening minutes deliver classic rock and roll swagger before easing into a quieter middle passage with intricate guitar lines, ultimately building towards a final burst of riffs that would not feel out of place on some of Quo’s seventies releases.
In many ways, Beautiful World would have been the perfect way to end the album, leaving fans with the thought of those head-down, no-nonsense riffs echoing in their minds. However, Rossi closes the album with the piano-led ballad Time To Remember, a perfectly serviceable track that would have been just as enjoyable placed earlier in the sequence. There is nothing wrong with the song itself but coming straight after the drive and energy of Beautiful World, ending on such a subdued note takes away some of the momentum and leaves the album winding down rather than finishing on the high it had built.
While Rossi’s earlier solo albums often leaned towards acoustic textures and layered harmonies, The Accidental moves firmly back to the guitar-driven energy that shaped his reputation. The middle section is the album’s strongest, bringing shifts in tone and a spark of daring, with Beautiful World also standing out as a reminder of Rossi’s ability to deliver fiery rock. As Rossi himself says: “For anyone who liked any of my solo albums previously, well, I've no idea what you'll make of this one because it's a real departure, but I love it. It's loud, the guitars are right to the fore, and there are some great songs there.” That enthusiasm is clear throughout, and while this record will appeal most to fans of Quo’s later work, it also showcases Rossi’s distinctive guitar style and his enduring love of melody. After sixty years, he still has plenty to offer and clearly, he is enjoying every moment of doing so.
The Accidental is released on 30th January 2026
Francis Rossi online