7/10

Throughout these last few years, US outfit Sky Island have been quick to establish themselves as one of the more diverse and prolific names rising through the ranks. Taking their cues from the classic rock aesthetic and rebranding it for a modern ear, they have been busy carving out a distinctive direction to call their own, one that always looks to build on what has come before. And after turning out a flurry of impactful anthems in recent months, they are now cementing their legacy to date with their hotly-tipped debut album 'Real Life', a record that continues that inventive spirit they are known for.

While their roots clearly lie in the retrospective guitar-driven aesthetic, 'Real Life' has this incredibly progressive direction to it. Blending driven rock anthems with this cinematic approach to both sound and production, their initial full-length finds them in this brilliantly adventurous guise as they look to make this new collection as memorable and distinctive as possible. Adopting some brilliantly riveting textures as it plays, Sky Island make light work of this new offering, spreading their creative wings as far as they will go throughout.

It may have been an extremely busy and productive time for them these last few years, but 'Real Life' still manages to leave a lasting impression on their ever-evolving repertoire to date. With this broad and emotive power laced across every one of its ten tracks, they are certainly ones to keep a firm eye on for the months ahead as well.