BIG DEAL

JUNE GLOOM (Mute)

15/20

Teradactol is an adept introductory single from June Gloom, brandishing Big Deal’s colossal expansion of sound. An increase in band members and Rory Attwell’s savvy producing achieves a dismissal of their woeful manner despite Kacey Underwood and Alice Costelloe’s unavoidably morose vocals. Dream Machines inherits sanguine riffs that are sporadically positioned throughout the album catering for dancing as opposed to the debut’s inescapable musing. However with Swapping Spit’s lyrics ‘Give up giving in/ I will I will’, you’ll be dancing with your eyes closed, tears streaming down your face whilst questioning what the hell you’re doing with your life. Possessing such potpourri of emotion, ranging from stadium-filling anthems to isolated, bedroom-based sorrow, June Gloom would undeniably be captivating live. The climactic closing track Close Your Eyes induces an exclusive antagonism to the album, opening with languid vocals from Underwood corresponding with the barely-existent, feeble guitar melody. Due to its incongruity of emotion and the inarguable portrayal of Big Deal’s ripeness, June Gloom could be the most endearing second album of this year. So endearing in fact, we fear for their third.

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Words: Ayesha Linton-Whittle