SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

BLACK AFTER DARK BANDICOOT

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Swaggering straight out of Swansea on an unlikely mission to channel Dylan Thomas and the Spiders From Mars, Bandicoot return the glam to rock, complete with sleazy sax, honky tonk piano, urgent guitar and tunes that stay with you after first listen.

Perhaps the time is right for 1970s influences as we have an energy crisis, soaring inflation and growing numbers of bin strikes, so join Rhys Underdown, Tom Emlyn, Billy Stillman and Keiran Doe as they party like it’s 1973, with irresistible single Fuzzy adding hints of early Supergrass.

Opener Siren and O Nefoedd! accelerate to the brink of collapse, while the ballads Early In The Morning and Shadow Of A Former Time are made for lighter waving.

After several years building a fierce live reputation, this debut takes Bandicoot’s music to the next level.

EVERYTHING I DIDN’T SAY ELLA HENDERSON HHHII

It’s 10 years since the teenage Ella Henderson’s shock exit from The X Factor and eight years since her debut album Chapter One. A planned second studio album was shelved amid a split from Syco, but it is finally here with Everything I Didn’t Say showcasing Henderson’s rich voice.

Last year’s catchy single Let’s Go Home Together, performed with Tom Grennan, remains a stand out track while Brave shows off the voice of a more mature, reflective artist.

A good second album with a mixture of paces and influences between the energetic opener Emotions through to the upbeat closing track Places.

GREAT AMERICAN PAINTING THE DISTRICTS

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Pennsylvania’s indie-rock favourites The Districts’ fifth album is their most accomplished.

That’s evident from the start, with Revival Psalm, heading towards epic territory, complete with a blistering guitar solo.

This widescreen approach perhaps comes from singer and guitarist Rob Grote writing most of the tracks in a remote cabin at the height of the pandemic.

The lyrics are full of references to black magic, the devil, heaven, fever dreams and blood – but redemption is also a strong theme, and the album radiates hope for a better future.

There are only nine tracks, meaning there is no filler – an album to play on repeat.