Album Review: As Everything Unfolds – DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE?

As Everything Unfolds – DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE?

Release Date: 10th April 2026

Label: Century Media Records

As Everything Unfolds (AEU) have commemorated the journey of watching someone seemingly stuck in a self-sabotaging loop and the processing of all of the emotions that go along with it. DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE? holds such emotional weight as it follows the death of their drummer, Jamie Gowers, back in August 2024. The anguish is not only understood through the lyrics but it can be felt in your bones through the music itself. Each riff has an element of devastating and lingering hurt. With tracks like the opener, ‘DENIAL’, driving this with voice like synths, crying out behind the words of the chorus.

Despite its more danceable nature, ‘GASOLINE’ maintains these themes, alongside unyielding grief. It’s no wonder why this track was one of their more popular pre-released singles; it’s catchy but relatable and has a bridge that leaves a sinking feeling inside you as vocalist Charlie Rolfe screams, “saying goodbye if the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do”. With ‘POINT OF VIEW’ being another fan favourite, but with fewer metaphors, there’s no room for second-guessing with lyrics like “you kick it off with your reluctance to grow;” just making it hit that little bit harder.

Underneath the anger of this album, there lies a softer side; ‘FIND ANOTHER WAY’ is this through and through. Gentle pulsing synths and a more stripped-back production anchor the whole song in a state of small but meaningful progression. Seeing hope through all the mess.

But this whole healing process is, in fact, just that, a process. ‘CUT THE LIES’ revisits the anger and, despite not being the longest track on the album, it makes itself known with high-energy drum beats, chugging riffs and rage-induced screams. ‘SET IN FLOW’ and ‘REVERIE’ lean into the band’s EDM influences with their drums, synths and vocal production; though where ‘SET IN FLOW’ is keeping that anger and energy high, ‘REVERIE’ has a sadder but still equally danceable vibe.

The addition of Bury Tomorrow’s Dani Winter-Bates in ‘WHAT YOU WANTED’ brings a whole new layer of depth to this album. The melody on it’s own is a stand out with an impeccable intro and a chorus that’s a recurring visitor to your brain. Pair that with the seamless transitions of vicious screams to delicately poised clean vocals, and it’s hard for this track not to be seen as the peak of this album. That said, ‘IDOLS’ is an equal contender. It’s fast, it’s punchy and with banshee like screams and a dizzying breakdown.

After feeling a little rushed off your feet, ‘EDGE OF FOREVER’ is a welcome break. A heartfelt, anthemic track that’s akin to the peak of a Disney movie. The hero has overcome their greatest challenge, but the journey isn’t quite over yet. A perfect second-to-last song before ‘SETTING SUN’ rolls out the credits. Anticipating the relief of closure with a huge chorus and guitar solo, this track feels like a bittersweet ending, a self-resolved acceptance. But sometimes that’s the best that life can offer.

DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE? tackles parts of life that most of us face at some point or another, and if you are one of the lucky few to have never encountered these challenges, then just pop this album on and you will soon be in the know. AEU have found a way to channel their experience into their craft and have done it so perfectly that you go through the motions with them.