This is Eagulls’ second album. Fans will note that it’s a very different beast to the Leeds outfit’s self-titled debut, released back in 2014. There’s no harm in that: while Ullages may take a few listens to engage, it still a delivers a powerful vision of bleak industrial cityscapes.
Amid the layered, expansive guitars, Eagulls disport certain influences openly. There are nods to The Cure’s Robert Smith in lead singer George Mitchell’s vocals, which are both studied and intense. Opening track ‘Heads or Tails’ strikes a quasi-confessional note. “It’s hard to tell who we are inside/ feels like the new in the old design,” Mitchell sings. While I like bands honouring their heroes, some of Ullages feels a bit too derivative.
Standout tracks include ‘Skipping’ and ‘Lemontree’, both of which have a welcome spark of originality. The former is particularly special – it’s the one tune that reaches out and pulls you down the rabbit hole. If Ullages shows a band attempting to find their true identity, ‘Skipping’ certainly offers a tantalising vision of future directions. Give it a few listens and allow yourself to be submerged in Eagulls’ post-punk, neo-goth world.
_Out Now

Rating: 6/10