9/10

Having been releasing material as far back as 2017, we thought we had heard the last of HMLTD after the release of their 2018 debut EP 'Hate Music Last Time Delete'. But then all of a sudden, they returned at the end of last year with a wave of impressive and unconventionally catchy singles that reaffirmed their place in the art-punk world. Which was all leading to this, the release of their long-awaited debut album 'West Of Eden', a record that sees them explore their bold and inventive sound to the nth degree.

From the very start, 'West Of Eden' wears its emotions and messages on its sleeve. As a band of misfits and outsiders, frontman Henry Spychalski leads the group through a heady blitz of frantic guitar hooks and thunderous production, all wrapped up in his own engaging and captivating vocals and lyrical content. And just like what we heard on that first EP, trying to pin down or define the sound of HMLTD is harder than ever as it feels like the band are not only keen to showcase their wide range of influences, but they do it in style each and every time, making this one of the most diverse and exciting collections we have heard so far this year.

Whether its the spaghetti-western-inspired post-punk hooks of 'To The Door' or the Nick Cave-esque crooning of 'Satan, Luella & I', there never seems to be a single entity these guys aren't able to embody to its fullest. 'West Of Eden' is a vibrant and eclectic initial offering that gives us great hope for HMLTD in the years to come.