Things I Don't Like To Talk About

Together barely two years, this Dublin four-piece trade in a kind of melodic indie pop that calls to mind everyone from U2 and the Kaiser Chiefs to Placebo and Suede. It’s a big, broad, if somewhat generic sound, complete with rousing choruses, epic guitars and meaty bass-lines – in other words, it’s tailor-made for festivals and big arenas should they get that far (and there’s no reason to believe they shouldn’t).
The strongest tracks here, including, ‘Need To Trust’ and ‘Get Over Yourself’ are as good as anything in the genre, with passionate vocals, deft playing and polished production, while the lower-key ‘Is It Over’ boasts some nicely controlled dynamics – all essential ingredients for would-be rock stars. They even conclude with a mellow-ish folksy ballad, ‘Weaker’, featuring acoustic guitar and gentle harmonies, showcasing a side to the band that might be worth expanding on for future releases. While it lacks stops-you-dead-in-your-tracks originality, this is an accomplished debut that serves as a perfect calling card and starting point. It might be an idea to stick the band’s name and the album title on the front cover. Just saying!