7/10

Ever since they first broke through with their dazzling debut LP 'Songs For The Journey' back in 2006, Australian outfit Josh Orange have always looked to conjure a more emotive direction than many in their field. Blending traditional indie-rock rhythms with a more heartfelt appeal across their sprawling catalogue to date, the band have been quick to establish their place as true innovators on the rise. And after the roaring response to their 2021 offering 'Midnight Lights', they continue to shine with their fifth studio album 'Birds For The Bayou', a record brimming with tender textures throughout.

Much like what they have been cultivating these last two decades, 'Bird For The Bayou' sits as a wonderfully warm and invigorating listen. Shimmering with this rich and soaring aesthetic across its compelling eleven-track runtime, the Sydney four-piece are making light work of these effervescent endeavours here. With tracks like 'What Have I Become' and its riveting title-track highlighting the more powerful songwriting within the release, Josh Orange continue to shine as one of the more captivating names doing the rounds right now.

While they have certainly been doing this quite a while now, 'Birds For The Bayou' proves they are still brimming with plenty of fresh and interesting ideas in which to explore. Beaming with this assured confidence within their sound at every turn, it feels as though we can expect plenty more from them in the years ahead as well.