8/10

Over these last few years, New York-based artist Carter Brady has been busy carving out a distinctive niche in which to call his own. Adopting a fresh and uplifting indie-rock aesthetic that borrows from the many icons of yesteryear, his work to date has been this brilliantly absorbing pursuit of driven guitar anthems all wrapped up in a heartfelt approach to songwriting at every turn. And after delivering a flurry of much-loved gems since his 2021 debut LP 'Blue Reverb', he is now back to his best once again on his eagerly-awaited sophomore album 'Shopping Cart', a record that brims with electrifying energy throughout.

Continuing to explore those rich and enveloping aesthetics his tenure has become synonymous for over the years, 'Shopping Cart' instantly sets itself up as one of his more uplifting endeavours to date. Coupling a warm and passionate vocal presence with some extremely catchy hooks from start to finish, this new thirteen-track collection makes for an incredibly enjoyable listening experience. Whether he is pushing out shimmering grooves or a more lovelorn texture, Carter Brady always manages to find a way to keep his audience fixated at every turn.

It has certainly been a productive time for him these last few years, but 'Shopping Cart' shows there is still plenty of bold and dynamic innovation coursing through him right now. Fully finding his feet throughout this new LP, it feels like he is at the beginning of a renewed and rejuvenated place on the scene with this one.