Lime Garden “23” Single Review: Inside the New Album Maybe Not Tonight

Look, we’ve all been there: that weird, jittery moment in your mid-twenties where you’re trying to act like a functional adult while secretly feeling like a total mess. That’s exactly the nerve Lime Garden hits with their new single, “23.”

If their 2024 debut One More Thing was the sound of a band finding their feet, “23” is the sound of them kicking the door down. It’s the first real taste of their upcoming album, Maybe Not Tonight (dropping April 10th), and it proves that Brighton’s “wonk-pop” icons are only getting weirder, bolder, and more relatable.

The “Dream Self” Confrontation

The inspiration behind “23” is as trippy as the track itself. Frontwoman Chloe Howard wrote it after a dream where she actually met her younger self. Instead of some sentimental “everything will be okay” moment, the dream version of Chloe basically tore her to shreds over her personality and her career.

It’s that brutal, internal self-criticism we all do at 2:00 AM. Howard describes the song as a way of leaning into that “cringe” and the ego-bruising reality that the cockiness of your teens doesn’t always survive your twenties.

The Sound: A “Baggy” Night Out

Sonically, this track is a fever dream you can dance to. The band leaned heavily into a Happy Mondays vibe—think “baggy” Manchester grooves mixed with their signature jagged indie style.

  • The Groove: It’s anchored by a bassline that feels like it’s stalking you through a crowded club.

  • The Production: Working again with Charlie Andrew (the wizard behind Alt-J and Wolf Alice), the band—specifically drummer Annabel Whittle—took a much more hands-on approach to the electronics this time around.

  • The Result: It’s “wonky” for sure, but there’s a new weight to it. It’s chunky, electronic, and perfectly captures that frantic “I need to go out and forget everything” energy.

A Concept Album for the Chaos

“23” isn’t just a one-off; it’s the opening chapter of Maybe Not Tonight. The band structured the whole album to mirror the arc of a single night out.

“23” represents that initial spark—the fidgety, slightly anxious excitement before the first drink hits. From there, the album spirals through the “lit” peaks of the party and eventually crashes into the messy, introspective walk home. It’s a record born out of a “collective mass breakup” within the band, turning personal grief into a high-energy, danceable timestamp of their lives.

Why You’ll Have This on Repeat

Lime Garden has always been great at being “brash and spiky,” but “23” feels more honest. They aren’t trying to be cool; they’re trying to be real. By blending influences like Lily Allen’s sharp tongue with the synth-pop textures of Magdalena Bay, they’ve created something that feels essential for 2026.

Where to catch them: The band is hitting the road for a massive UK tour this October, including stops in Bristol, Leeds, and Manchester. If “23” is anything to go by, these shows are going to be loud, sweaty, and a little bit cathartic.

“23” is out now via So Young Records. Go give it a spin.