NI heavyweights The Wood Burning Savages have endured more than their fair share of hardship over the last half-decade. Cancelled tours, and a life-threatening illness for frontman Paul Connolly, sucker-punched them when they should’ve been conquering the world. Second album Hand To Mouth sees them get back in the ring for another round, and it’s every bit the triumph we hoped it would be.

An impossibly hooky offering brimming with anthems, the follow-up to 2018’s Stability affirms there’s still plenty of fire in the Derry quartet. Featuring some of Connolly’s finest lyrics, the likes of the molar-rattling ‘Grind Your Teeth’ and the galloping ‘It Takes A Bomb To Raise A Village’ are stunningly powerful. They’re also not afraid to throw in the odd Krautrock curveball (‘Strict Diet’) or mini rock opera (‘Record Of Achievement’).

‘Last Of The Legacies’, meanwhile, brilliantly rounds out proceedings, incorporating elements of prog, folk and Americana and folk, to really show off their musical muscles. Even more electrifying than the Savages’ debut, Hand To Mouth is an inspiring, essential listen.

9/10