Having reverted back to their original name, Augustines are finally set to release their self-titled follow-up to 2011’s ’Rise Ye Sunken Ship’. You wont see much change in the overall sound, but that’s not to say there isn’t progression.

A few songs into ’Augustines’ and it becomes apparent that the emotionally-charged-indie side of things is still in tact, which is a trait the band showcased in their debut album. This time around though, Augustines have a produced an album which contains 12 songs that are just begging to played at pact out stadiums all over the world. Every track is absolutely huge and the album as a whole contains enough precisely placed ”woah-oh-ohs” to earn them a slot on every festival of the year.

My one worry from the two songs I’d already heard was that the album was going to all sound too similar, maybe all blend in to one with no real standouts. How wrong I was. Tracks like the opener ‘Cruel City’ and ‘Don’t You Look Back’, both scream of a much expected Bruce Springsteen influence, while there are some tracks on the other spectrum of the record that execute Augustines’ own style, without much obvious comparison to any other bands or artists, that are well crafted enough to be considered indie classics in the coming years.

My favourite tracks on the album though, come towards the end. This is where Augustines have rather cleverly placed the calmer, more instrumentally stripped back tracks. ‘Walkabout’ is the song that introduces to this side of the record and with all the tracks before it being stadium-filling feel-good indie masterpieces, ‘Walkabout’ takes us on a more mellow journey. As I mentioned, towards the end of the album hide more tracks of this ilk, such as – my personal favourite – ‘The Avenue’. The vocals alone are enough to give you chills, but the beautiful piano track accompanying Billy McCarthy was the last thing I needed to hear before giving this album my seel of approvable.

’Augustines’ is a highly recommended listen for any indie fans out there. I suspect this record to blow most other high-profile indie releases out of the water this year, and can only hope the songs get the packed out venues they deserve when Augustines visit the UK on tour to promote the album.

4.5/5

’Augustines’ by Augustines is out now.

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Words by Joe Hart (@raisedbywoofs)