House Above The Sun - Restless Idealist (2025)

Terrific, highly anticipated second album from London four piece. This band have had some seriously good reviews for their debut album back in 2017 and two subsequent EP’s. Their distinctive and original mixture of Americana, indie, folk and even Laurel Canyon smooth rock makes an instant impact. The track ‘Trains’ from their last EP ‘Time I Got Goin’ was particularly impressive.

Five years later and we have their second album and what a stunner it is. It’s not been an easy journey for the band though, a challenging combination of lockdown, marital breakdowns and good old writers block has meant this has taken its time to appear. HATS compromise Jim Moreton (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, piano, Hammond organ and Wurlitzer); Ariel Moreton (vocals, percussion); Jack Neale (bass guitar); Davide Mongirulli (drums); and David Atkinson (lap steel, electric slide guitar).

What’s wonderful about this album is that the moment it starts, these songs effortlessly emerge as almost long-lost friends. Beautifully sung, superb tunes, lovely harmonies and a welcome slightly edgy feel to many of the songs. It’s not often one is instantly enraptured by a set of songs, but this is what happens here.

The opener ‘Blame It On Me’ has some gorgeous electric guitar to start, with bass and Moreton’s skilful singing supported by highly effective background harmonies. It feels warm and engaging from the get-go, and it’s a really well-chosen opener. ‘Sacrament Of Now’ is a gentler song with some lilting guitar strumming and an important message of making the most of the now – Neale’s bass is particularly effective here. So many of these songs feel as though they’re hugging you with warmth and affection..

‘One Foot Across The Border’ is a slightly more upbeat song, with Moreton’s combined vocals gelling beautifully and another catchy tune at its heart with a lovely guitar solo at the end. Album highlight is ‘Starting Up Again’ with Moreton’s superb vocals chiming with some gorgeous acoustic strumming and a tune to die for. It’s soft and warm, and is as near perfect a tune as one could want. Reminded me of Hobotalk at their finest.

‘Scarlett Of The Ocean’ opens quietly with simply acoustic strumming and Moreton’s vocals, before it slowly builds with some percussion and harmonies. Another simple but deceptively high-quality tune with some lovely violin playing from Basia Bartz.

Clocking in at over eight and a half minutes ‘King Of The Valley (Restless Idealist)’ is a more up-tempo tune with some classy electric guitar and a heavy drum beat backing more fine vocals and a definite epic feel. Within the confines of their sound, HATS really do cover a wonderfully diverse range of styles of songs. It slows down in the middle before getting a second wind and never outstays its welcome.

Album closer ‘Love Letters’ is a beautiful, romantic tune with some seriously heartfelt lyrics. This is a phenomenally classy album – it so stands out as something really special and makes one yearn for more. Although it’s been a long time in the making, this time has been wonderfully spent, and let’s hope they return with more material soon. Sheer class.