You know from the opening second of ‘Did We Ever Really Try?’, a superlative pop song that beats Two Door Cinema Club at their own game, that Delorentos have upped the ante considerably. A cavalcade of insta-memorable hooks, driven along a synth-and-choppy-guitar bed, it is custom-built for radio domination and the perfect way to start the infectious fire that burns throughout the rest of Little Sparks.
This is a band that, in their own words, have “been through the mill”, a band concentrating their efforts and abilities to make the record they always wanted to make. From that opening number, Delorentos go on a tremendous six-song run without any let up. ‘Bullet In A Gun’ sounds like the a great pub singalong, with vocals that verge on the side of Bright Eyes. Elsewhere, the simmering ‘Little Sparks’ brings to mind Rufus Wainwright fronting a rock band, whilst the understated ‘Petardu’ will swirl around your head for a considerable amount of time. Throughout Little Sparks, Delorentos reveal themselves as a band capable of filling the bigger stages. Each tune carries deceptively easy-sounding hooks drenched in reverb, at times the twin guitars have a slight Edge to them, whilst the greater moments of Snow Patrol’s canon are an obvious reference point.
The album’s second half eases in tempo and drive, but not in quality. The early synths give way to twinkling pianos, each instrument fit for purpose and employed sparingly. As ‘Witness In The Dark’ fades to black, your finger’s already primed to hit play again. Early contender for Irish indie rock album of the year? Most definitely.
Little Sparks is the sound of a group striving to write the flab-free, solid gold pop record of their lives. Mission accomplished.