8/10

Throughout the promotional run for their breakthrough debut album 'In Waiting' in 2020, Irish outfit Pillow Queens were greeted as one of the most intriguing and captivating new acts of the moment. And just like so many emerging at that time, the opportunities to perform their latest material in the wild were few and far between, leaving them more time than most to ponder over where to go next. That respite from touring looked to prove them well as they now return to deliver their sophomore studio album 'Leave The Light On', a record that looks to hone in on their more ambitious endeavours.

When it came to 'In Waiting', the band were still figuring themselves out in a way. While it was a highly accomplished release, they regularly flipped back and forth between lighter and more euphoric singles, giving the LP an occasionally fractured feel. But on 'Leave The Light On', they have managed to trim back those breezier moments and discovered a direction that suits both sides of their aesthetic. From the very start, their newest effort comes across as a far more progressive and confident listen as they regularly pursue rich and soaring ideals to create a wonderfully memorable offering.

Pillow Queens may still be riding the peripheries of the scene right now, but 'Leave The Light On' looks set to be the staple of their work to date. There is rarely a faltering moment on this sprawling ten-track full-length, allowing them to jam-pack it with fresh and adventurous textures that leave you yearning for more.