Album Review: Heroes For Hire - No Apologies

“25's the new 18,” sings Brad Smith on Set In Stone, one of the sugary heart-starters taken from Heroes For Hire's third record, and you have to admit there's plenty of truth in that sentiment. There's a part of everyone that wants to hold on to that careless and underlying positive nature you hold in spades when you're fresh out of high school, and with No Apologies you get that chance.

When it comes to pop punk, there aren't many bands getting the job done more thoroughly than these Sydney lads. The consistency found across the 12 tracks on No Apologies outshines their 2011 release Take One For The Team. In fact, whether it's the immediate bounce of No Apologies or the uplifting layers of sound found on We're Only Just Getting Started, it's hard to find a dud moment on the record.

Smith, the frontman for the band, has really stepped it up with regards to both his vocal delivery and his lyrical content. His lines are sharp and direct, just like the energised playing going on around him. On Face Without A Name, the album gets a boost (and some old school punk cred) with a guest appearance by dreadlocked Less Than Jake vocalist Roger Manganelli, while the stripped-back late acoustic singalong Nowhere At All feels like one of the most triumphant moments of the record, uncovering a new dimension of the group.

No Apologies is the sound of a band revelling in their own identity; playing and writing music that they clearly love. Heroes For Hire aren't sorry for making this record and you shouldn't be for listening to it.