8/10

Over this past year, US outfit King In Yellow have looked to establish themselves as one of the more progressive names in the post-punk revivalist movement. Taking their cues from the more haunted artists of the era such as The Smiths, Bauhaus, and Sisters of Mercy, the band have been busy churning out a flurry of initial material, all looking to add another vibrant layer to their enigmatic aesthetic of late. And with the buzz around them continuing to build, they are now cementing their legacy to date with their eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Dark Passengers', a collection that hones that brooding nature of theirs.

Featuring the previously shared gems 'Hand In Fan' and 'Desire Paths', this new four-track offering makes for a brilliantly dark and intense listen throughout. Truly absorbing the dense texture of their idols and rebranding it for a modern ear, 'Dark Passengers' bursts out of the gates with gusto and aplomb at every opportunity. Brimming with this electrifying atmosphere that completely envelopes their distinctive direction, King In Yellow are seeing out their formative year with a wonderfully adventurous and immersive listening experience.

It may still be early days for them right now, but 'Dark Passengers' shows they already have a strong and commanding grasp over their sound. Delivering one rich and progressive cut after another, it feels like King In Yellow are destined to become one of the more talked about names on the new music scene in the years ahead as well.