REVIEW: Hourglass – ‘Manic Morning After’

After originally making their mark with their breakthrough debut EP ‘En Vogue’ in 2020, Indiana’s Hourglass quickly took their swaggering blues-rock grooves on the road. Making a number of notable live appearances in the years since, they recently returned to the fold to deliver their much-loved comeback single ‘Calling Out’, their first piece of new material in three years. And with that offering rekindling their initial impact, they continue their rise with their long-awaited sophomore EP ‘Manic Morning After’.

As if the spirit of Jimi Hendrix never left us, ‘Manic Morning After’ explodes onto the scene with some of their most ambitious and passionate offerings to date. Blending a broad and emotive array of alt-rock textures to produce the Weezer-inspired ‘Velvet Morning’, as well as bringing back those 90s grunge tones for ‘Moonchild’, this new five-track collection instantly sets itself as a bold and eclectic affair, continuing the band’s innovative spirit at every turn.

It may have arrived after a longer period than many of their fans would have wanted, but ‘Manic Morning After’ has certainly been worth the wait. Delivering more of those anthemic edges that made their first EP such a memorable moment, Hourglass are back with a bang, building upon those inventive foundations once again.