Deaf Havana - All These Countless Nights (2017)

James Veck-Gilodi is contemplating the differences between All These Countless Nights, the imminent new album from Deaf Havana, and the previous records by this most-treasured of UK rock bands. Theres much to consider. Theres the expansion of the bands sound, of course, which sees them create the most eclectic, envelope-pushing album of their 11-year career. And theres the renewed confidence in his own creative ability that saw Veck-Gilodi reject his former, rigorously self-imposed songwriting rules in favour of a freewheeling, anything-goes approach. But the most crucial difference concerns James himself. Because, if previous Deaf Havana albums have been preoccupied with the person he used to be, All These Countless Nights is all about who he actually is. And the end result is Deaf Havanas most brutally honest and bruisingly emotional album yet. Lead single Sing takes all of Deaf Havanas traditional qualities soaring melodies, witty lyrics, an uncanny ability to make an emotional connection with rocks heartland audience and bolts on an absolute monster of a riff to create the heaviest Deaf Havana song ever. Beautiful acoustic ballad Happiness, meanwhile, is the saddest and most honest song Veck-Gilodis ever written. Seething alt-rocker Trigger examines a volatile previous relationship with forensic candour; the contemplative Seattle is a love song to faraway England, and the brooding L.O.V.E infuses one lust-fuelled on-the-road encounter with guilt rather than bravado.