The sophomore album from
Walking on Cars, 2019's
Colours, finds the Irish outfit expanding upon the anthemic pop of their debut with a distinctly moodier vibe. Recorded in the band's home studio in Dingle, County Kerry, as well as at RAK studios in London and Angelic Studios near Banbury, England, the album once again centers on the passionately throaty lead vocals of
Patrick Sheehy. There is a dynamic intent to many of these songs, with sustained minor-key verses and big choruses. Tracks like the opener, "Monster," and "Coldest Water" feature
Sheehy singing dramatically about overcoming dark obstacles. On "Coldest Water" he sings, "I was looking for a friend, but it all came to an end. I survived, yeah I survived." Elsewhere, there are several brightly attenuated songs. "One Last Dance" evokes the epic, emotive sound of '80s
Peter Gabriel. Similarly, "Too Emotional" is a sparkling, synth-heavy groover that hints at an ebullient future direction. There are also some nice keyboard accents and backing vocals throughout the album courtesy of bandmate
Sorcha Durham that bring to mind the chilly goth atmosphere of
Depeche Mode. In that sense, the album represents something of an aesthetic shift away from the
Coldplay-style uplift of their debut toward something more akin to
X Ambassadors' angsty brand of pop. ~ Matt Collar
