8/10

Following on from the praise and acclaim they received for their debut album 'Infancy' last year, Glasgow-based outfit The Ninth Wave are looking to become far more than just another flash in the pan in the scene. While many that have frequented the genre these last few years make a bold impression before quickly slinking away into obscurity once again, The Ninth Wave are looking to continue the momentum behind their initial year with the release of 'Happy Days!', a six-track Faris Badwan-produced collection that sees them break out of their shell throughout.

While their debut album was an extremely consistent and progressive full-length that make the band almost household names overnight, 'Happy Days!' is more about exploring the outer peripheries of their sound, making it less conventional and more adventurous from start to finish. The biggest surprise on this new release is just how accessible and radio-friendly some of the offerings appear to be. The track 'I'm Only Going To Hurt You' sees them pursue a far more pop-based aesthetic, while the ballad 'Abattoir' is their swan song, showing off their rich and captivating ideas for more sombre outings.

In all, 'Happy Days!' is an incredibly diverse and eclectic release that never stops throwing up surprises. They may have only been in the limelight for the last year or so, but it is clear that they are on the cusp of something brilliant here, giving us all the more reason to look forward to their next studio album.