7/10

After the stellar response to their stunning 2018 debut LP 'Wednesday', which earned them a Choice Music Prize nomination for Irish Album of the Year, Just Mustard found themselves riding a strong wave of buzz and acclaim that would soon take them out of their native Ireland. As word surrounding their initial effort began to spread, they began to draw comparisons to their likes of Fontaines DC with their dark and driven post-punk aesthetic, allowing them to go all out on their next studio album 'Heart Under', a record that looks to build on their solid foundations so far.

Throughout the last few months, Just Mustard have been releasing a flurry of rich and enticing offerings, all with the aim to bring their formative sound to new and powerful heights. While this release is very much in the same vein as 'Wednesday', 'Heart Under' sees them take more risks within its atmosphere, opening themselves up to broader and more captivating ideals. Cemented thoroughly within their post-punk-inspired guise, their newest collection creates a dark and vivid image of the group as they sweep through bold and shimmering textures, all with the aim of bringing new light to their purpose.

Just like what we have heard so far, 'Heart Under' makes for a brilliantly absorbing and compelling listen. With lead vocalist Katie Ball driving home the band's dark and ominous presence throughout, they have returned with a wonderfully fresh and exciting release, brimming with strong and driving tones from start to finish.