Overhead, The Albatross‘ debut EP, Lads With Sticks, brimmed more with potential than with originality. Follow-up EP Mr. Dog makes a more concerted effort to turn heads. The melodic “Pigeonometry” tilts gently on the math-rock axis before tumbling into a heartfelt finale, but the string-laced “Flubirds” (also featured on the excellent More Hope for Japan compilation) is the standout sibling. It never hurts to have intelligent pacing, energetic drumming, a mid-piece prog breakdown and a cowbell. The name is catchy and the execution has vastly improved. Are we hearing the sound of a star being born? (Richard Allen)
a closer listen 