8/10

After the release of their 2013 debut album 'Antics' didn't go down as planned, the Boston indie trio Vundabar looked to be in dire straits. Their adopted DIY approach had left them with a huge financial burden with only themselves to dig them back out. But rather than implode, the band pulled themselves together and took all that frustration and bitterness, and injected it into their follow-up 'Gawk'.

Arriving once again as a self-relaesed full-length, 'Gawk' is simply one of the most instantly identifiable albums we have heard all year. From the moment it begins, it sends you through a slue of rattling guitars, rumbling drums and falsetto vocals that leave you ever yearning for more. The drive and passion on this new record is more than evident as you really feel their need to create a perfect album this time around, and there are moments you feel they might have done it.

Overall, 'Gawk' is an engaging and enjoyable release throughout. It not only shows the high level of diversity within the band's own sound, but also lets its hair down on more than a few occasions, giving you the chance to really lose yourself in it.