Album Review: Bloods - Feelings

What's more likeable than dipping back into the '90s with some delightful garage/shoegaze-pop-rock? That's what second album Feelings from Melbourne/Sydney quartet Bloods is riddled with.

Where there's always a risk of sounding slightly derivative in doing so, it's hard not to be pretty instantly smitten by lead vocalist MC's razor-sharp sass, buzzing guitars and a good dose of reverb. And while the hits far outweigh the misses, the odd tracks do slip through the nets without struggling for attention.

For instance, Step Back's sparser arrangement when bookended by pop rock gems definitely relegates it into the shadows of the album. And Bug Eyes, while sonically a pleasure, takes a bit of an easy route to its thumping chorus with "My mind is stuck like glue/And I don't have a clue/What I should do". But they're minor quibbles in an otherwise charming and neatly produced album. Opening single Bring My Walls Down comes out swinging with a rampant beat and jangly riffs, Feelings allows MC to let rip with the attitude, and Slow Break literally does just that and pulls the frantic energy back to a dreamy place where shy vocals and raw guitars reign.