7/10

When he was a much younger man, Brooklyn's Andy Plews left his original band and went off to college. And while that decision probably felt right at the time, many decades later Plews felt this slight twinge of remorse, questioning himself with those pesky "what ifs". But after rekindling his passion for songwriting with a band of talented individuals at the legendary Figure 8 Studios, he now delivers his long-awaited debut album 'The Macclesfield Years', a record that looks to hark back to those initial memories of his musical youth.

Inspired by his time growing up in the Cheshire town, 'The Macclesfield Years' instantly sets itself up as a raw and emotive introduction to his sound so far. Brimming with this warm and immersive aesthetic that sees him adopt a heady mix of grunge and indie-rock influences, his initial full-length cements him as a bright and invigorating talent who has been quiet for far too long. Taking cues from personal tales, the British Suffragette movement, and even a Japanese fable, Andy Plews arrives with a truly diverse release here.

It may have been long time coming, but 'The Macclesfield Years' is certainly a labour of love for the artist at the helm. Aiming for a rich medley of all his influences from his decades of adulthood, Andy Plews makes for a warm and poetic introduction to today's new music scene.