Im writing this as I indulge in it fully for the fifth or six time and it continues to thrive as a masterpiece of musical post-hardcore genius.Following up such a highly acclaimed debut is astrenuoustask at the best of times but kudos to Hands Like Houses here.Generally not my forte but Unimagine ticks all the boxes that a rock album should.

Kicking it off is Developments which sets the tone emphatically with a hooky guitar melody building up to an ethereal chorus representative of what to expect for the following ten tracks. Trenton Woodleys vocal performance throughout is undeniably superior, catchier and more atmospheric than on 2012s Ground Dweller and the substance of it from the off is second-to-none.

Introduced Species, the first track that was showcased to the world, fuses electronic elements with more spine-tingling vocals and captivating riffs from Matt Cooper and Alex Pearson. Sacrificing nothing whilst mixing it up is an ever present knack in this record.

As the third number on the record comes around so does an expectation that there must be a dip in form on the horizon. Whilst Weight isnt my dearest track on the album it is by no means a filler and produces one of the many momentous hooks here present. Im undone. All I know is the weight of the world, so empty and so uninspired. I think we can all relate to that one.

Shapeshifters and The House You Built follow suit with its predecessors in tempo and presence, the latter striking me as sharing qualities with Emarosas Relativity. A Tale of Outer Suburbia and Oceandust are the albums slow jams. Lyrics are always crucial but even more so in this ever-prominent genre and the content in these two certainly atone for the decline in tempo. Is our skin to keep the world out or our bodies in? packs a philosophical punch or two in A Tale of Outer Suburbia whilst Oceandust; a snail in comparison to the rest of the LP, inflicts consideration through the words, Theres no respite to be found in the waves. Each rise and retreat will scrub the blood away.

No Parallels returns to the muscle from the beginning with more wailing guitar riffs and propelled vocal climaxes building up to what is sure to be an almighty conclusion.

And boy does it not let us down. A Fire On A Hill proclaims the way every album should end. Incorporating the components that have kept you listening up until this point and elevating them to new heights. A nostalgic backing chorus gives the record the prolonged exit it deserves and enforces that undeniable reflection period that is too often non-existent these days.

Young, talented and homegrown. Hands Like Houses have somehow topped Ground Dweller with an absolute belter. Youd be stoopid not too!

Stan

Here’s the opening track for ya’ll to check out.