Some Cities

For those who adored the lush textures of ' second album, , the seriousness of might be a bit jarring. The ambitious trio is much more direct and exact this time out, and it's a great shift in style. In contrast to this opus, optimism ruled on , which soared with a majestic celestial setting of bright choruses, vibrant beats, and gushing guitar riffs. percolates with more of a hopeful but grounded spirit, an English spirit. The band's native Manchester comes into view. Shades of ash and cinder surround ' guitar flow, but without melancholy. The album's title track captures that with vocalist/guitarist 's earnest plea, "Some cities crush/Some cities heal/Some cities laugh/While other cities steal/Can't I make you see?" Pianos and drums run parallel on and match the adrenaline and motion of Only two songs in, the band's soft dreamy focus turns into complex emotion, and it's beautifully done. Both the sweeping acoustic guitars of and the symphonic lament continue the cinematic slow burn of , reflecting upon a cloudy countryside. Escaping the dreariness of Manchester is what fueled to start a band in the first place. isn't a Mancunian downer. It's very real and ' best yet. ~ MacKenzie Wilson