The Districts: 'A Flourish and A Spoil' Album Review

The four-piece band hailing from Pennsylvania, U.S. released their second album, 'A Flourish and A Spoil' this month on Mississippi label 'Fat Possum'. Three years after The Districts' debut album 'Telephone' was released, the now post-teen band have been back in the studio recording their grunge influenced new album.

Opener '4th and Roebling' starts with a steady bass-line, which is kept up throughout the track; in a way, it helps build up the frustration the band is trying to convey. 'Suburban Smell' is a bitter acoustic song, simple yet a very honest track (emotive song writing is a strong point of the album). It's really quite impressive how The Districts manage to be raucous and fierce, whilst still being able to channel a somewhat melancholy tone through 'A Flourish and A Spoil'. Lasting nearly nine minutes, 'Young Blood' is the song which makes you realise why The Districts have a bold reputation; it's not going to be compromised any time soon. 'Peaches' is the centrepiece of the album, opening slowly and softly then erupting into raw sound with gritty guitars and elongated riffs- which is why it's my favourite track.

'A Flourish and A Spoil' is easily one of the best releases of the year so far, will anything else beat it?