7/10

Throughout these last few years, Tallahassee's Once Great Estate have looked to conjure a more immersive sound than many of their contemporaries. Taking the lovelorn concepts of the country sound and blending it with a more adventurous approach to production, the band cemented their dynamic legacy with their breakthrough debut LP 'Even The Undertaker' in 2021, a release that established them as true innovators on the rise. And with a flurry of new offerings in the years since, they return once again to deliver their vibrant sophomore album 'Goodbye Cody Scarp', a record that builds upon those emotive foundations once again.

Capturing more of that warm and inviting aesthetic their catalogue has been renowned for over the years, 'Goodbye Cody Scarp' makes for a beautifully rich and refined return to form. Keeping the flow and pace of this new collection as wistful as possible, their newest eight-track offering aims to hone those heartfelt textures they have earned a reputation for, and push them as far as they will go. Tracks like 'Heart Shaped Cloud' and 'Right Outside Your Door' highlight this progressive venture they have been pursuing lately, adding to the already tranquil approach they have adopted here.

Fans of the band will absolutely adore this new outing, while those just discovering them have a perfect introduction to their tenure to date. Once Great Estate have not only returned with a strong and confident new release, but also offer up something that evolves their sound and gives rise to their direction for the years ahead as well.