Album Review: Empire Circus, Tí

Born in 2012 from the remnants of the highly-revered Stand, Empire Circus' debut album was released in 2013. The follow-up, Tí, was recorded in Brooklyn with Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Joan As Policewoman) and at Orphan Recording, with Gavin Glass (Lisa Hannigan, Villagers), and mastered in Australia. A multi-continental effort or what?

With songs penned by guitarist and keyboardist David Walsh - whose lyrics explore the nitty-gritty of everyday life - Empire Circus' onward assault is led by the single 'Salt', which sparkles with verve and panache. 'Sometimes I Cry' fades in with a light swagger, and builds with guitar washes and a captivating vocal, while 'Luna' comes with a broad keyboard-and-guitar soundscape, delicious fills, and crackling vocal harmonies. Harmonies also decorate the languid charm of 'High Above This Grey There's Blue', before it too roars and soars.

'We March Into The Night' enters with gentle fingerpicking guitar from Alan Doyle, but builds to a majestic, lighters-aloft showstopper. Elsewhere, Doyle's chiming guitar and Neil Eurelle's bass add real punch to 'Strangers' and 'Bloodlines', and 'Under The Same Stars' delivers bags of feeling, underpinned by Brian Ellis' infectious drumming.

There are elements of Wilco, The War On Drugs, early Peter Gabriel, Dire Straits and vintage Moody Blues here, this is a band with its own taut style. The lean arrangements mean no track on Tí outstays its welcome. Terrific stuff.

Out now.

8.5/10