8/10

When Declan McKenna released his breakthrough debut album 'What Do You Think About The Car?' in 2017, no one really expected how quickly and effectively it would take off. After building a solid and devout fanbase in the build up to that release, the years that followed resulted in huge international tours and accolades that have quickly made the frontman one of the golden children of the modern indie-pop scene. And after a whirlwind ride across the planet since then, he returns with his highly-anticipated sophomore album 'Zeros', a record that looks to pick up almost exactly where he left off.

What we most enjoyed about his debut effort was its complete lack of pretence, yet still remained focused and driven in the goal it wanted to achieve. His poise and determination on that collection was palpable throughout, and it still feels like he hasn't lost even a modicum of that desire. Declan McKenna's persona always looks to straddle the commercial and more critical side of the scene, managing somehow to find a middle ground between these two worlds, and that's exactly what we get on 'Zeros'. A release that brings back all the fun and fanfare of his initial material, but with this fresh and vibrant aesthetic throughout.

While there was love and appreciation for his first album, I don't think anyone could have seen how big it would become, least of all Declan. But his brush with global domination seems to have done him a world of good as 'Zeros' sees him continue his bold and euphoric nature, something that not everyone can pull off but he somehow makes it look like a walk in the park.