7/10

Over these last few months, Pittsburgh-based artist and producer Plough has been busy conjuring a dark and brooding aesthetic in which to call his own. Described as "Northern Appalachian noir", a distinctive take on the haunted post-punk sound, the record looks to act as a study of characters and deeply personal observations, both disturbing and comfortingly familiar. And with the buzz surrounding the project continuing to grow, he now breaks onto the new music scene with his hotly-tipped self-titled debut album, a record that cements that immersive direction he has been building lately.

Very much akin to the roaring sound of Fontaines DC or The Murder Capital, 'Plough' looks to introduce itself as this incredibly dense and emotive introduction. Blending thunderous guitar, a cacophonous production, and searing vocal hooks to create this truly absorbing style, this seven-track outing finds the artist at the helm in incredibly creative spirits throughout. Moving with this subtle elegance that sees each track ebb and flow with grandeur and passion, Plough is making his mark as one of the more captivating names on the rise with this one.

While it may be his only piece of material to date, there is something about 'Plough' that really stands out from the crowd. Whether it's his compelling and emotive presence or the riveting approach to its songwriting and production, this is one artist we are definitely going to be keeping a close eye on in the months ahead as well.