8/10

When she first broke through with her highly-praised debut LP 'Woman On The Internet' in 2021, Orla Gartland was instantly heralded as one of the more inventive and innovative names on the rise. Doubling down on that ingenuity with a string of EP and single releases in the years since, as well as her membership in alt-pop supergroup FIZZ, has only spurred her reputation further, marking her as a truly adventurous enigma doing the rounds right now. And with that buzz still very much at its peak, she is back once again to unveil her eagerly-awaited sophomore album 'Everybody Needs A Hero', a record that continues that progressive endeavour once again.

Fans of her earlier work won't be too surprised at the variety and diversity of this new offering. 'Everybody Needs A Hero' looks to introduce itself as a broad and immersive listening experience, one that ventures across the spectrum of contemporary pop aesthetics to create this explorative but still largely cohesive release. Continuing to pursue that blistering approach to production she has always managed to cultivate, her latest full-length finds her in wonderfully eccentric spirits as she offers up one of the more distinctive yet still wildly enjoyable albums of the year to date.

Orla Gartland has never looked to approach things halfheartedly, and 'Everybody Needs A Hero' perfectly illustrates the enormous vision she has for her sound. Brimming with fun and lively moments, with the occasional sombre cut, she remains one of our favourite names on the new music scene right now.