After spending the lion’s share of the last decade making records in the States, Dublin quartet Stand decided it was time to run away and join the circus... Empire Circus, that is. Featuring a new drummer (Brian Ellis) and a sound that’s infused with positivity, the reborn band re-introduced themselves to the world this year via-their In Dreams EP and a brace of singles (‘True Believer,’ and ‘There Is A Light’). Now, it’s debut album time...
The product of the 12 months or so the band spent reinventing themselves, Empire Circus feels almost like a first record. Taking their cues from the likes of Imagine Dragons and The Killers, the dozen tracks dabble in indie, electro, pop and stadium rock: the four-piece’s attempt to sound shiny and new has certainly paid off. Hooky opener ‘Light’s Out’ has an ace hooting chorus which you’ll be singing for days; elsewhere, the synth-y, lovelorn ‘Currents’ proves that they know how to craft a bombastic, heart-swelling alternative ballad too.
Steeped in that super-slick American college radio sound that made household names out of Maroon 5, the wireless-friendly ‘There Is A Light’ and the starry-eyed ‘All I Need’ also impress. Personally I’d have liked to have heard more of singer Neil Eurelle’s falsetto, but for the most part Empire Circus have delivered an impressively entertaining (sort of) debut.

Key Track : 'Currents'