Black Hearted Brother – Stars Are Our Home

While Black Hearted Brother can’t quite be called a supergroup, the trio’s personnel nonetheless possess an impressive pedigree between them: Slowdive’s Neil Halstead, Seefeel’s Mark Van Hoen, and Coley Park’s Nick Holton comprise a trio with a wealth of experience in shoegaze, post-rock and ambient electronica between them. It’s Halstead’s influence that initially feels most pronounced, as the opening title track unwinds through an epic space-rock jam, anchored by an irresistibly dramatic chord progression.

Following that compelling beginning, Stars does begin to fragment somewhat, as each member is given licence to explore their own avenues: Time in the Machine’s woozy violins and wobbly bass, for example, recall Holton’s other work; while the tentative, stripped-back electronica of I’m Back echoes Van Hoen’s solo projects. When the LP’s elements gel, however – as on the driving electro-shoegaze of My Baby Just Sailed Away – Black Hearted Brother transcend the sum of their parts. [Sam Wiseman]