Album Review: BOUTS, Flow

When Bouts unleashed their still shimmering debut full length Nothing Good Gets Away in 2013, they gamely announced themselves as serious contenders. While it's taken a little longer than many would've liked for the sequel to arrive (due apparently to geographical displacement and that pesky thing called life), Flow confirms that they've still got plenty of fight in them. Combining alt-pop and grunge-minded goodness, the four-piece don't miss a beat despite their couple of years in the wilderness: fans of Pavement, Ash and Fountains Of Wayne should pay particular attention.

They're at their best when submitting to their scuzzier side. 'Big Reveals' is an instant stand-out, as is power-pop tour de force 'Love's Lost Landing (Pt. 1)'. However, 'Passing Through - which calls to mind those masters of the earworm Culture Abuse - is Flow's best moment, thanks to superb vocals that manage to sound both smooth and snotty at the same time. Final track 'Moving Fast And Slow' ends this love letter to '90s alt-rock in style.

Out now.

7/10