Album Review: Hermitage Green, Hi Generation

Before the pandemic forced every band in the world into hibernation, Hermitage Green had carved out a notable presence on the live circuit – gradually building themselves into an act who had no trouble selling out major venues on these shores and beyond. It’s a reputation that hasn’t waned over the last 18 months, and as live music continues to make its triumphant return, the Limerick band have secured top billing on some of the most hotly anticipated line-ups in the country. As such, the release of their long-awaited second album feels timely – particularly given that Hi Generation is overflowing with sing-along tracks designed to thrive in a live setting.

The band have always blurred the line between indie-folk and alternative rock, but their new LP also finds Hermitage Green leaning increasingly into the broader, radio-ready pop world. On Hi Generation, they’ve bottled a sound with plenty of natural appeal for fans of The Coronas, Kodaline and Dermot Kennedy – a testament to the Rathcoole singer-songwriter’s rapid ascension to stardom, given that he was a little-known name when Hermitage Green’s last album, Save Your Soul, was released. Like a strong festival set, the sound is largely uplifting and escapist, embracing an alt-rock edge on ‘Heaven’, while also exposing a raw underbelly on tracks like ‘Enough’.

Like their debut album, the new LP finds Hermitage Green still struggling to find a sound that’s truly their own, while genre-hopping between the tracks results in a lack of overall cohesion. In fact, in many respects, Hi Generation has all the energy and pacing of a setlist rather than an album – which feels fitting, as the band prepare to head back out onto the road with a new collection of tracks under their belt.