Broncos - Gloom Review: A Dark, Crushing Preview Of King Laugh

By Chris Kennedy | Published 20th August, 2026

Emerging from Belfast’s thriving alternative music scene, Broncos have been steadily building a reputation for blending the raw aggression of post-hardcore with atmospheric textures and deeply personal songwriting.

After a run of impressive singles, including their debut release Erode and follow-up Lights Out, the band are beginning to establish themselves as one of the more exciting voices coming out of Ireland’s alternative scene.

Now, with their debut album King Laugh set for release in September 2026, Broncos have dropped Gloom - a track that fans will already recognise as a live favourite and one that feels like the perfect introduction to what this band are all about.

Broncos Keep It DIY On Gloom

One of the most impressive things about Broncos is just how DIY their approach remains. The band recorded and mixed Gloom themselves, transforming their own practice space into a makeshift recording studio.

That hands-on approach seems to suit them perfectly.

From the opening moments, there is a sense that something much bigger is about to arrive. Gloom begins with a slow, strummed electric guitar before a simple drum beat joins the mix. Rather than immediately going for the jugular, Broncos allow the track to gradually build.

The tempo stays relatively consistent, but the intensity keeps increasing as aggressive guitar riffs begin to push underneath the vocals.

And then the song really starts to hit.

There is a huge, powerful quality to the production, with Broncos making excellent use of sudden stops and dramatic changes in dynamics. The chorus is particularly effective - heavy, loud and suitably explosive, but with enough melody to make it instantly memorable.

Crushing Riffs Meet Soaring Melodies

What really makes Gloom work is the balance between heaviness and melody.

Broncos clearly aren't interested in simply making a wall of noise. There is plenty of atmosphere running underneath the aggression, while the guitars continually shift between crushing riffs and soaring melodic passages.

The middle section is a particular highlight. The guitars begin to climb, with twisting notes building higher and higher while the bass locks into a tightly wound rhythm.

Meanwhile, the drums become increasingly detailed, with the cymbals adding another layer of tension before the beat tightens up and the band launch back into that enormous chorus.

It is the kind of moment that feels tailor-made for a packed venue.

Given that Gloom has already become a live favourite, it is easy to understand why.

The Story Behind Broncos’ Gloom

There is plenty of emotional weight behind the noise, too.

Lyrically, Gloom deals with the feeling of knowing from the beginning that a relationship is destined to fail, yet choosing to enter into it anyway.

It is a familiar idea, but Broncos give it a suitably dark and emotionally charged soundtrack.

Interestingly, the track was salvaged from a previous project, giving Gloom a history of its own before it even became part of the Broncos story.

That sense of looking back at something broken and finding a new purpose for it feels particularly appropriate for a song dealing with the wreckage of a doomed relationship.

Gloom Is The Perfect Taste Of King Laugh

With King Laugh arriving in September 2026, Gloom feels like an excellent appetizer for Broncos' debut album.

The track showcases practically everything that makes the Belfast band so interesting: heavy guitars, huge drums, atmospheric passages, memorable melodies and intensely personal songwriting. Most importantly, it doesn't feel like a band trying to imitate anyone else.

Final Verdict

Gloom is a dark, powerful and seriously impressive new release from Broncos. If this is a sign of what Broncos have in store for ‘King Laugh’, their debut album is definitely one to keep an eye out for.

The single, Gloom, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Broncos