The Irish band return with the follow-up to their debut album.

Five years after their debut album – Tales From The Backseat – the Irish four-piece return with Sitting Pretty, a beautifully exhilarating record full of self-reflection and freedom.

Following their debut album in 2018, and EPs in both 2020 and 2021, The Academic have delivered their sophomore album titled Sitting Pretty. Their development as a band is evident throughout; but the band has not lost their identity, their classic sound is still present.

The band throw us straight into the record with Pushing Up Daisies. Gritty guitars layered with powerful drumbeats create an exciting sound that establishes The Academic’s pursuit to return with an unforgettable bang. With bittersweet lyrics such as “decorating the pity” the Mullingar four piece cement the self-reflective nature of the record.

Don’t Take It Personally demonstrates the bands growth as they use synths and keys to craft a sound reminiscent of The Strokes. The marriage of the drums, piano, and the backing vocals result in a beautifully well rounded track; using many different elements but never sounding crowded or messy. 

The third track proves that, in the five years since their debut album, The Academic have not lost their ability to create relatable indie classics.

What’s Wrong With Me is full of dancey instrumentals that contrast with its melancholic lyrics such as “If I had it my way I’d be over you”, but that’s what will make this song connect with their loyal fans. The band’s versatility is illustrated as the track breaks down into angelic layered vocals before building back up into a stunningly crafted guitar riff.

My Very Best is sure to become the indie anthem for this summer. The theme of self-reflection is continued through lyrics such as “I get the feeling that I can’t give you my very best”. The following track, This Is Your Life, is a feel-good song injected with a sense of freedom. Both are guaranteed to get festival crowds moving under the sunshine this coming summer.

The pace slows for Homesick, an honest track delving into the minefield of heartbreak. The previously mentioned self-reflection transforms into reassurance: “It’s just the way your life is / It’s just the cards that you’ve been dealt”. 

Themes of heartbreak are dispelled with Heartbreaks’s Where It’s At. The groovy drumbeat and return of the keys that featured in the earlier songs in the album provide the perfect musicality for this feel-good track that accepts the heartbreak from Homesick.

Do What You Want is a song for escapism and freedom — in a world full of uncertainty this track will resonate with so many audiences. The catchy, anthemic choruses and instrumentals will be incredible when played in front of a live crowd.

The band hone in on happiness during the second half of this record and Step My Way is a fine example. With the Blossoms—esque sound and hopeful lyricism, The Academic will lift the mood of any listener. Let Go Of My Heart continues this exhilaration with a stunning blend of drums and guitar to accompany the incredible display of Craig Fitzgerald’s vocal range. 

Right Where You Left Me opens with calm vocals, before building into an exciting track following themes of love and heartbreak. Dean Gavin’s drumming is once again a highlight as it is the perfect foundation for the fun chorus that the track centres around. 

The penultimate track, Rain Keeps Falling, refers to the strong connection to their homes in Ireland, with lyrics illuminating how they are “tied to this place”. The use of the keys constructs a groovy and interesting sound that is augmented by the gradual slowing of pace in time for the final track.

Buying Smokes is placed perfectly as the final track — it completes the album in a way that feels like a cohesive performance. The piano is utilised to seamlessly build the track up into a crescendo from the beginning to the end. The guitar is reminiscent of Radiohead’s Paranoid Android, and the clever chaos of the piano highlights the band’s development and confidence to experiment with sound in their second full-length offering.

The Academic have come a long way from being four friends from Rochfortbridge playing covers of King Of Leon and this album is a testament to their growth. Interesting and refreshing indie music has not disappeared — this band is making sure that it doesn’t any time soon!

Sitting Pretty is out on February 10th. Preorder here.

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