With a blend of electric guitars and founder/brainbox/frontman, Ol Beach’s, smooth yet gravelly vocals, Yellowire’s ‘Machines On Fire’ makes for a decent listen. The only issue being that they don’t seem to want to settle on one sound. The record might leave you wondering whether they’re stadium rockers or reclusive acoustic wallflowers. But there are moments of clarity, ‘One Last Breath’ wrenches the heartstrings, while debut single, ‘Star Life’ nods to Blur and even U2. The album is part of a collaboration between the band and graphic artist Jimmy Turrell and the beautiful accompanying artwork should be commended. Yet judging Yellowire on the music alone, leaves us with a thicket of promising ideas that needs a trim around the edges.

Charley Bray