Liverpool band Hooton Tennis Club release their sophomore album Big Box Of Chocolates.

If their debut album, Highest Point In Cliff Town was the band’s sprightly statement of intent, Big Box of Chocolates may well be their coming-of-age: a record that retains all the colour and invention of their debut while being elevated by more rich instrumentation and lyrics that hint at slightly heavier themes: love and loss, nihilism and the ‘non-spaces’ of Northern England, all delivered in the band’s typically laconic, bittersweet style.

I had mixed feelings about Highest Point in Cliff Town. While, overall I rather enjoyed it, there was a slight immature side to some of the tracks. Big Box of Chocolates sees the band deliver an album full of maturity, confidence and is a much more polished Indie offering.

Of the 12 tracks (41 min, 36 sec) personal highlights include 'Katy-Anne Bellis'; 'Meet Me at the Molly Bench'; and 'Big Box Of Chocolates'.

If you're looking for a new Indie album it's worth giving this a chance.

9

Nick Smithson