8/10

Ever since they broke through with their stunning debut album 'Human Ceremony' in 2016, Sunflower Bean have presented themselves as an indie-rock group that never looks to conform to the given nature of their scene. Regularly adopting broader and more luxurious soundscapes within their work, they have developed a style that brings a lofty brevity to their direction, best illustrated by their brilliant sophomore effort 'TwentyTwo In Blue'. But with four years passing since that release, they now return with their third full-length 'Headful Of Sugar', a record that continues that vibrant approach.

One of the qualities that makes Sunflower Bean such an irresistible group is their ability to create light and simple compositions that still manage to shine incredibly bright. Their rich yet laid-back demeanour is once again the hallmark of 'Headful Of Sugar', allowing them to breathe a sweet and sweeping texture throughout every track. While their exploration into the dream-pop and psychedelic aesthetics is more seldom seen on this new collection, they have created one of their most succinct works of their career so far as it swoons through a heady array of shimmering delights.

While the quality of music on 'Headful Of Sugar' should be no surprise considering their run until now, Sunflower Bean feel so much more at ease throughout this new album. Progressive and adventurous at almost every turn, it has a wonderfully captivating style that really holds your attention and invites you along for its enigmatic ride.