6/10

When the Kettering-based band released their debut album 'Sun Structures' back in 2014, their initial output was met with mixed opinions. Some truly loved the band's callback to the smooth and psychedelic sound of the 1970s, while others felt that they were bringing very little freshness to the genre. Thankfully the band managed to persuade more of those naysayers with their stronger and more vibrant sophomore album 'Volcano' in 2017, a record that saw them move past the retro aesthetic by giving the psych-rock sound a far more ambitious tone, and this is the same direction the group have taken for their third effort 'Hot Motion'.

While still remaining very true to their psychedelic roots, there is definitely more of a conscience decision on 'Hot Motion' to bring a bigger and bolder style to their recordings, resulting in a Pink Floyd on steroids atmosphere this time around. And while this means that they have not moved on very far since their last studio album, they are finding more of a sound that they can call their own. Stripping back the wishy-washy approach that the genre usually demands for something more in the ear-grabbing realm, that manages to pull you in and force you to listen rather than letting you sit back and allowing the music to wash over you.

It may not have the same consistent and cohesive vibe as 'Volcano', but 'Hot Motion' still manages to pack in plenty of punches as it plays. The downfall of this new release seems to be the problems that their first record encountered, by delivering more of the same we are treated to a watered down version of their previous material that only just keeps its head above the precipice.