Kodaline's "Coming Up For Air" Builds On The Success Of Their Debut

Following on from their 2013 debut 'In A Perfect World', Dublin-based Kodaline are back with album number two and there is certainly no sophomore slump for this quartet. 'Coming Up For Air' blurs the line between pop and rock with a finely tuned mix of harmonic melodies and mellow, heart felt lyrics.

The debut album quietly peaked at number 3 in the UK charts and created quite a celebrity following for the band, both here and stateside. Fans of this previous success will not be disappointed with this new delivery, as all the best qualities have been carried through in the form of captivating guitar led anthems and stunning lyrical charm. Kodaline aren’t compared to Coldplay for no reason; frontman Steve Garrigan’s vocals echo Martin’s spectacularly, but there is so much more to this band.

The album opener and first single “Honest” really sets the bar for the whole album. There are a few tracks which have the potential to be arena fillers, and this is certainly one of them - with the combination of a towering chorus and powerful melodic verses, you can practically hear the crowds singing along already. Gorgeous album closer “Love Will Set You Free” is sure to become a ‘lighters in the air’ classic, with it’s building group vocals which just scream for festival performances.

The heavier offerings on the album may come as a surprise to those used to the softer sounds of Kodaline’s previous hits “All I Want” and “High Hopes”, but they are executed to perfection.

“Human Again” and personal favourite “Play The Game” see Garrigan lose his Chris Martin comparison and the band adopt a fuller sound that wouldn’t sound out of place on a The Script album. Super catchy beats seem to come naturally to these boys, and paired with pumping, high energy choruses it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more tracks like these on future albums.

Sure, some of the lyrical content is a little old-hat and cliché, but it’s hard to resist when it is packaged up so beautifully - the dreamy renditions of “The One” and “Unclear” interspersed with impressive falsetto would cling to any lovers heartstrings whether they are welcomed or not.

After being slated for lack of originality in their debut, 'Coming Up For Air' showcases that Kodaline are well and truly on their way to finding their individual niche, with their combination of classic Coldplay/Snow Patrol influences and a newly found heavier sound that is bound to fill arenas and festivals for years to come.

To visit the Kodaline website
click here. To visit the Kodaline Facebook page
click here. Words by Liss Parkes

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