8/10

After emerging back in 2016 with his beautiful debut record 'Telluric', Australian singer-songwriter Matt Corby found himself on the ascension very quickly afterwards. With a hit record under his belt and worldwide touring schedules, the race was on to matching the ambition of his first outing with an equally captivating follow-up. This came in the form of a new child to his life, which opened him up to new ideas about what life and his music is all about. The frontman admits that becoming a father has given him a new perspective on how his music should sound and has indulged himself to a vast array of new perspectives on his second studio album 'Rainbow Valley'.

The main difference that seems to have come from this sophomore release is more of an assertion towards a fully-fledged production behind him. While his debut was mainly focused around him and his own place on the record, 'Rainbow Valley' aims to see at the centre of a far wider sound, incorporating a more atmospheric direction in the process. Now with a shared comparison to the airy and sometimes psychedelic style of Super Furry Animals, Corby has allowed himself to break away from the shackles of his own pretence and deliver a record that blends a diverse range of influences that stretch from psych-rock all the way to hip-hop.

This definitely feels like Matt Corby breaking out of his shell and finding the confidence to try new concepts and intentions this time around. Still maintaining the core vibe of his original full-length, 'Rainbow Valley' is a brave step into the unknown and sees him emerge as far more well-rounded songwriter and performer in the process.