8/10

After originally making their mark in notable outfits such as Quit It! and River Jacks over the years, Canadian singer-songwriter Spencer Jo broke through on their own earlier this year with their stunning debut single 'Guns At The Border'. Since then, their tenure has been filled with a flurry of broad and enigmatic delights, exploring more of that riveting folk-punk aesthetic they have always looked to acquire. And with the buzz behind their newfound persona continuing to build, they return once again to deliver their hotly-tipped debut album 'The Water', a record that looks to cement their dynamic legacy to date.

Featuring the previously shared outings 'Explosions In The Dark', 'Talking To Myself' and 'Quiet Violence', this new ten-track collection perfectly establishes their riveting aesthetic over the last few months. Using a barebones production to elevate their brilliantly infectious lyrical prowess from start to finish, 'The Water' feels less like an artist trying something new and more of a statement of intent for the future. Many of these offerings have this quaint and rustic appeal to them, making them incredibly succinct as the album plays, as well as heightening their already captivating songwriting at every turn.

Their ventures into a solo guise may still be in their infancy right now, but Spencer Jo already feels like a name that deserves far more acclaim and attention than they are currently getting. Brimming with bright and enjoyable efforts throughout, 'The Water' will surely go down as a favourite amongst the debut LPs for 2024.