8/10

For the better part of the last decade, Irish outfit Under Starling have established themselves as one of the more endearing names on the rise. Turning out a breadth of dazzling delights as often as possible, their tenure to date has been filled with widespread praise and acclaim as they always look to build upon what has come before. And after another heady run of releases these last few months, they now return to deliver their long-awaited debut album 'Murmurations', a record that looks to hone their most passionate prose under one roof.

With tracks like 'The Hunger' taking influence from the haunting legacy of the Great Irish Famine, 'Murmurations' instantly cements itself as one of their more emotive and enthralling releases yet. Jam-packed with these warm and tender moments that fluctuate around, as its title would suggest, this new full-length finds them in an incredibly provocative guise as they aim to deliver some of their more beautifully enriching material to date. Swapping between the light and darkness that have become this release's core inspirations, Under Starling have certainly let their blood, sweat, and tears course through this one.

It may have taken a lot longer to get here than most, but 'Murmurations' has clearly been a labour of love for the band. Rarely faltering and always captivating from beginning to end, Under Starling pop their LP cherry in fine fashion here.