7/10

While their highly-praised 2017 debut LP 'Strange Hymns' certainly brought plenty of praise and attention to the young Scottish outfit, it is fair to say that a lot has changed for Neon Waltz since then. While the pandemic was an unavoidable catastrophe for many in the industry, the lack of touring and recording time saw two of their original members pull out of the group, meaning they had to completely reinvent their sound as they moved from a six-piece to a four. But after a run of much-loved singles these last few months, they now return with their long-awaited sophomore album 'Honey Now', a record that revitalises their approach.

Although having to accommodate the loss of original members is never an easy task, this new remodelled Neon Waltz feels far more driven and confident than anything that came before. While the large, euphoric energy of their last full-length still remains the heart of this new collection, 'Honey Now' packs itself with plenty of broad and dynamic moments, creating a wonderful fresh and driven listen from beginning to end.

It may have been conceived during a troubling time, but Neon Waltz have pulled themselves out of the other side more ambitious than ever. Cracking out the killer hooks and stellar riffs as often as possible, 'Honey Now' feels like the beginning of something new and exciting for the band here.