7/10

Throughout the last few years, Cardiff's Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard have found themselves in a distinctly enjoyable guise. While their material regularly nods to the glittering sound of the 70s glam-rock era, they are still very much a contemporary outfit, regularly reinventing the aesthetic for a modern ear and delivering some of the most spritely indie-rock ditties we have heard in years. And now finally releasing their long-awaited debut album 'Backhand Deals', it feels like they are leaning hard into their inspirations to produce a record that is more nostalgic than forward-thinking.

Despite this new release being a more retro-focused endeavour than their previous work, 'Backhand Deals' still manages to find something fresh and exciting to explore. Each track has this burst of sunshine running through it, which not only makes for a powerful and enticing listen, but also looks to lift your mood as often as possible. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard may not be ones to try and share something truly original, but what they do, they do well. Giving us a rich and uplifting introduction to their core sound to date.

Wearing influences very much on your sleeve can sometimes be a risky move, but when it comes to 'Backhand Deals', it feels far more like a homage to the greats of yesteryear. These guys have always been a captivating force on the new music scene, and this new collection only continues that reputation further.