Hope Of The States: Left

Many were left guessing what might become of HOTS post-rock polemic and wall-of-sound surges after the suicide of guitarist Jimmi Lawrence. As it turns out, the turmoil hasn t diverted singer Sam Herlihy and co from aiming for the epic songs debut album

Many were left guessing what might become of HOTS' post-rock polemic and wall-of-sound surges after the suicide of guitarist Jimmi Lawrence.

As it turns out, the turmoil hasn't diverted singer Sam Herlihy and co from aiming for the epic songs debut album The Lost Riots suggested they were capable of.

But Left finds them faltering on more fronts than before. Second single Sing It Out is a shoegazer's drunken pub anthem, a chunk of chugging rowdiness backed with similar instrumental gusto.

But while there is the odd seismic success, Herlihy's tuneless drawl swathed in choirs and chords, too many tracks miss the target.

Has its moments, but disappointing overall. 3/5