Rich in spellbinding harmonies, The Ocelots’ second album, Everything, When Said Slowly, takes indie-folk in a compelling new direction. Boasting an expansive sound, the LP explores themes of love, migration, and time.

Wexford twins Ashley and Brandon Watson tug at the heartstrings from the outset, with ‘The Lighthouse’ beautifully mixing finger-picked acoustic and tender harmonies. The likes of ‘Landlords’ and ‘The Good Of A Bad Year’ offer a lovely blend of nostalgia and optimism, while ‘Front Door Key’ is gorgeously melodic.

Elsewhere, ‘Australia’ – reminiscent of early Kings Of Leon – is a potent tune about Irish emigration (“Hurts to stick around, run away to Australia”). But it’s not all gentleness and bittersweet lyricism, with ‘Innocence Of Love’ venturing into heavier terrain. Overall, an impressively honest and poignant piece of work.

7.5