8/10

When Irish punk outfit Girl Band released their previous full-length 'Holding Hands With Jamie' back in 2015, the record made very little instant impact on the scene around them. Instead the release was left to stew and in time, became a huge cult phenomenon amongst the punk community, leading to the band becoming one of the most in-demand groups working today. So after four years away to plan their perfect comeback, they now return with 'The Talkies', a record that takes that unique and visceral approach and runs with it as far as it will take them.

Opening up with 'Prolix', a dark and troubling recording of an actual panic attack that frontman Dara Kiely experienced while recording this album, it sets the brutally honest tone that the band have always looked to achieve and shows us that they are not ashamed to embrace the scars that have made them such an enticing outfit. From there, 'The Talkies' sits somewhere between the bold and tenacious fury of Fontaines DC but with an even heavier and darker take on atmosphere, making this record not just aurally pleasing but something that has the ability to truly get under your skin and leave a lasting impression.

This new collection certainly sees Girl Band take on a far more experimental angel, as elements of industrial and drone-rock seem to sneak their way into the record's furious aesthetic, giving this return a more diverse and eclectic feel this time around. It may not have as much instant bite as 'Holding Hands With Jamie', but still manages to pack in a ton of punches throughout.