7/10

The story of Liima is already becoming one that most musicians would dream of. After originally only teaming up for a one-off project, the four-piece have found themselves truly enjoying the process of working together, continuing on through on their the debut album 'ii' back in 2015, and now returning to deliver their second full-length '1982'. But unlike anything they have produced to date, this new record seems them embark on a whole new direction.

While much of their material so far has been fairly euphoric in its emotional intentions, '1982' sees them take a far darker path within their sound. Moving away from a formulaic approach of building songs around a conventional pattern, such as verse, chorus, verse; much of this release likes to take its time over the development of a song. Sometimes breaking out into long, drawn-out instrumentals that build ever so subtly and give a very grand take on their influences.

Fans who liked their material to date will be happy to know that the Joy Division and Depeche Mode inspirations are still here, but in a far broodier guise. '1982' has definitely set a precedent for quality in their songwriting, and will definitely not be the last we hear from this lot.