F.O. Machete are like a cactus with a heart of gold. After more than 20 years since their first release, they’re back with a confetti-intoxicating bang.

Mother of a Thousand (released on Last Night From Glasgow) is an album full of their signature bittersweet delicacies, wrapped in a sugar coating.

Tonight’s fantastic set is both bewitching and barbed. Sonically jarring songs of love, devotion, and separation collide with darkly humorous observations of life and the human condition. Softly sung—at times almost conversational—you’re drawn in, spun into a web of words and music that suddenly explodes when you least expect it.

F.O. Machete hypnotize a sold-out Sleazy’s audience with a song-by-song account of their brilliant new album, peppered with between-song anecdotes on the do’s and don’ts of breakups—comparing exes to Skeletor and debating the correct pronunciation of “milk” in Glasgow.

Recorded at Chem19 with Paul Savage at the helm, the songs feel more evolved than before. Less lo-fi, yet still unmistakably F.O. Machete—just with an extra chromosome or two. In this case, it’s backing vocals and keyboards, a studio-led addition that makes a huge difference in tonight’s live show. There are now infinite layers to get lost in. As always, Natasha and Paul lead from the front with a captivating delivery of razor-sharp guitar and bass, while the backbone of Berny, Aidan, and Kotryna provides the sugary sparkle that balances the impact.

The night flies by in the blink of an eye, climaxing with fantastic encores of Olivia Newton-John’s Physical and Panda from their first album. Confetti cannons erupt, covering everyone—pretty impressive for a Sunday evening.

Like the Sirens of Greek mythology, fabled to lure sailors to their doom with irresistible songs, F.O. Machete are impossible to resist. And they’re ready and waiting.

Take every and any opportunity to see them.

Words: Nick Tammer

Images: Chris Hogge