8/10

When FINNEAS broke onto the international stage with his stunning debut LP 'Optimist' in 2021, it was largely thanks to his growing profile as his sister Billie Eilish's producer. But while he had made a name for himself as a darker entity in the pop sphere, his initial full-length saw him in a far more conventional light as he looked to carve out his own unique space in the scene. And with that release proving one of the more immersive efforts of the last few years, he is now back once again to deliver his sophomore studio album 'For Cryin' Out Loud!', a record that sees him add a more progressive edge this time around.

While much of this new outing can heard throughout his previous material, 'For Cryin' Out Loud!' feels far more diverse and innovative as it plays. Exploring this heady mix of soul and funk-inspired aesthetics for his latest work, this new collection finds him in a far more explorative guise from beginning to end. Offering a more matured approach to his songwriting and production throughout, FINNEAS makes a bold leap here, something that pays off more often than not.

It is certainly a strong progression since his earlier releases, but 'For Cryin' Out Loud!' shows that he isn't afraid to try and adopt new ideas into his direction, giving this record a far more interesting feel than most. He may not be out of his sister's shadow yet but FINNEAS is certainly making waves as one of the more refreshing artists doing the rounds right now.