Twin Atlantic – Power

Sometimes change can be good – at least, that’s what Twin Atlantic are hoping, anyway. The Glasgow-based outfit split from their decade-long deal with Red Bull Records prior to creating their newest record, a decision that’d normally place an artist in a fair bit of jeopardy. Yet, this time, it seemingly gave license for artistic freedom, a chance to stretch the wings and put some new tastes on their palettes.

Where 2016's GLA was a noisy, modern coming of rock‘n’roll, and Great Divide was a constantly reloading machine gun of anthemic choruses, Power is far less energetic. It’s a step back in momentum, but one that allows a bit of breathing space, the band choosing to explore a broader electro-pop-rock sound – a bit of a curveball by all accounts.

Oh! Euphoria!’s fuzzy synth and straight bouncing beats are the first of a big shock to expectations. "Where’s the guitars?", you cry. Oh, they’re there alright, but right from the off, you get the impression Sam McTrusty and co are trying something quite different. That said, as electronically-focused as this album is it doesn’t feel all that un-Twin Atlantic. Barcelona is clearly sonically different, but it’s structurally one of their songs under its neon-clad disguise, while McTrusty's vocal lines on Volcano and Ultraviolet Truth similarly are like a familiar hug.

McTrusty spoke prior to the release about his learning of having synaesthesia – something he claimed influenced the writing of the record – where he sees sound as various colours when writing. While Power is sonically different to the rest of the band’s outings, and a solid release that keeps their ever-consistent discography ticking over, it’s perhaps not as vibrant as previous efforts.

Listen To: Barcelona, Novacaine, I Feel It Too