Album Review: The Altered Hours, The Altered Hours

The third album from this psych and shoegaze-loving Cork quintet sees the hard-working and riffing road warriors embark on an electrifying new chapter. The band sounds more dynamic and honest than ever, and emboldened by years of touring. Here, acclaimed Down-based producer, Julie McLarnon, has captured the power and passion of their magnetic live show.

The giddy ‘Turn Away’ opens the opus with a bang. A hook laden, twisted pop tour de force, fans of Seamonsters-era Wedding Present will especially adore it. ‘Paper Roses’ is another treat, driven by gorgeous arpeggios and gloomy vocals, while ‘Lay There With You’ sees the five-piece flirt with country, and create a track that would go down a storm in Twin Peaks’ best bar, the Bang Bang Room.

‘Special Things’, meanwhile lives up to its name. Loaded with horror movie guitars, shamanic melodies and Spector drum snaps, it’s a show stopper. Crammed with songs about isolation, alienation and sickness of the heart and soul, The Altered Hours’ self-titled LP affirms their time is now. A late contender for album of the year.

9/10