7/10

When Irish artist Adam O'Rua released his breakthrough debut EP 'EVA' in 2022, it cemented his dynamic legacy to date. Having spent many of the prior months turning out a wealth of riveting releases, that offering saw him explode onto the new music scene as a breath of fresh air. And after a number of years exploring Brazil and its culture, he now makes his eagerly-awaited return with his highly-anticipated sophomore EP 'THE GARDEN', a release that looks to build upon that passionate guise so far.

While still very much akin to his glossy pop roots, there is something rich and explorative about its production this time around. Dabbling in some wonderfully warm and inviting percussion for much of this outing, the Latin influence of his South American journey has clearly made a strong impact on his newfound direction here. Brimming with this bright and infectious life from start to finish, 'THE GARDEN' sees him broaden his aesthetic further than ever before, and deliver some of his most heartfelt material to date.

While those initial years certainly put his name on the map, 'THE GARDEN' sees him break away from the conventions of his sound in pursuit of something more unique to himself. Oozing with this immersive creativity at every turn, Adam O'Rua breaks his two-year absence from new music with a truly captivating collection here.