Blank Realm: Illegals In Heaven

Ragged licks of guitar introduce the impulsive, vicious opener ‘No Views’, a no-apologies submission to the visceral pull of their music. The chorus, “I got no views on it / It’s just something that I do,” is chanted by siblings Daniel and Sarah Spencer, and it could well be the band’s mantra.

This record features a greater range of songs, which creates a more layered whole. After starting with the heaviest track, they move into ‘River Of Longing’ –it’s romantic, melodic, primal, and an instant classic. The tempo drops right down for acoustic ballad ‘Dream Date’, while ‘Cruel Night’ has weeping slide guitars and something of a Mazzy Star vibe.

Flipping the record over to side B, any assumptions that ‘River Of Longing’ is the album’s biggest charmer are challenged by a stunning twin set of power-pop songs, ‘Flowers In Mind’ and ‘Palace Of Love’. Sandwiched in between them is the gorgeous ‘Gold’, pulling Sarah into the spotlight as lead vocalist.

Positive energy is exhausted completely by the final track, ‘Too Late Now’. It’s an eerie, disorientated stagger through psychedelic, shoeless sounds.