Bwani Junction – Fully Cocked

Edinburgh quartet Bwani Junction have been standing out from their peers due to their world-traipsing influences for a while now. Obvious connotations have paired the group’s Carribean-inflected sound with Vampire Weekend, though the vocal harmonies of The Police may provide a more accurate, if less trendy likeness. Thematically they mix local reference points and youthful nostalgia alongside global issues to surprising success.

Middle Meadow will likely draw a chuckle from Auld Reekie residents, whilst Today’s Crusades is a deft turn at an anti-war song that even calls The Clash to mind. Highlights like I’ve Got The Minerals, My Body My Mind and their best known tune Two Bridges inject some pace into Fully Cocked, though a tad too many second-half tracks merge together as mid-paced and overly long for what the album needs to be. Still, these are minor gripes for what is a fun, accomplished and promising debut.