★★★★

When Shining Bird released their debut albumLeisure Coastin 2013, they stunned with their pure and expansive Australiana sound.

Their follow-up album Black Opal continues in the same vein, but with new levels of energy and confidence.

Opener ‘I Can Run’ immediately makes apparent the musical influence of the late ’80s and early ’90s, though Shining Bird combine this with the signature vastness of their music, something so clearly inspired by the vastness of Australia itself.

The album is built for the Australian roadtrip. Singles ‘Helluva Lot’ and ‘Rivermouth’ straddle the line between outstandingly beautiful songs of Australia’s natural landscapes and a song Tourism NSW might have commissioned, but somehow the band keep it from becoming too cheesy.

Every song on the album is a joyful listen, with the only exception being ‘Buried’, which feels like a B-side when stacked against the rest of the album, though it’s still an enjoyable song in it’s own right.

While containing more energy than their debut, Black Opal doesn’t lose the slow and calm sound the band created: it simply gives it more focus and direction. Shining Bird have found their way, and the result is a true gem.

Shining Bird’sBlack Opalis out now via Spunk Records.

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