Album Review: Ten Tonnes – Dancing, Alone

By Rosie Burgess | December 8, 2023

Words by Katie Hillier

Following his 2019 debut album, Ethan Barnett, known by his stage name, Ten Tonnes, has undergone significant changes. After leaving Warner Bros Records for Absolute, Barnett went completely independent, a feat which is evident with the freedom present in his sophomore offering. 

On the surface, Dancing, Alone is an anthemic, uplifting, upbeat record made to be played live. However, listen closely, and it’s a far more hard-hitting collection of songs exploring heartache, mental health, and solitude. The combination makes for a much more mature-sounding record, maintaining the contagiously fun sonics of his debut despite the slightly more personal subject matter and introspective lyricism.  

That’s not to say there isn’t much musical variation on this album. Heart To Break is a Strokes-esque soundscape made for a sticky-carpet packed-out venue, whilst tracks such as Lone Star and Waiting For The Sun capture Barnett’s 1950s and 60s influences with a hint of melancholy. 

Whilst there are some slightly cheesy moments within some of the lyrics, you can’t help but overlook them because of how much you empathise with Barnett. Ultimately, Dancing, Alone is a record which sees the evolution of Ten Tonnes’ sound and showcases immense personal growth, which is sure to resonate with many of his listeners. It’s a versatile piece of work you can dance along to or play in the background whilst you reflect on a sleepy Sunday afternoon. But, the feeling of togetherness and the important reminder that sometimes it’s perfectly okay to be dancing alone feels like the most important takeaway from this encapsulation of loneliness.

8/10