Blank Realm | Illegals In Heaven

Indie only limited edition pink and white marble vinyl. Includes download code.

It takes more than a hint of audacity to first enter a recording studio on album number five!  That ethos, however, makes perfect sense in the context of Brisbane’s Blank Realm, influenced by and marinated in their Pavement via Paisley Underground wash of sound, which is once more in evidence on Illegals In Heaven.

There’s progress here too. The laid-back sensibilities of 2014’s Grassed Inn remain, but the stakes have evidently been raised. Out of the blocks, opener No Views is an acerbic call to arms - a blast of Sonic Youth-esq brilliance - but the real heart of this album lies in melody and tune-smithery. Witness River of Longing, Flowers In Mind and album centrepiece Dream Date. Best of all is album closer Too Late Now, an atmospheric reverb-drenched steam builder.

An album that begs to be devoured on wax, not least to gawp at that gorgeous 4AD Records-redolent album cover!