Having gradually shifted from their post-rock roots into a more defined shoegaze identity, Blanket return with a record that feels assured in its intentions. Heavily indebted to the bruised atmosphere of Deftones and the lush haze of Slow Crush, the album is open about where it comes from, leaning into familiar textures rather than attempting reinvention.

While it may not break new ground, the record benefits from a polished, confident production that will resonate with listeners already invested in the shoegaze genre. Tracks such as “Levitate” favour tried and tested structures, opting for comfort over risk, but they’re delivered with enough care to remain engaging rather than stale.

The album’s more restrained moments prove to be its most affecting. Leaning on You takes things right back, allowing it’s emotive vocals to take centre stage and offering a sense of intimacy that contrasts nicely with the record’s heavier passages. It’s here that the band’s emotional core feels most immediate.

Thematically, the album balances introspection with cautious optimism, moving through unease towards moments of release. “True Blue” and “Hole in my head” stand out as the clearest expressions of this approach, carrying familiar ideas with a much greater conviction and warmth. Produced alongside longtime collaborator Sam Bloor at Lower Lane Studios, the record invites listeners to sink into its layered arrangements and reflective mood. While it doesn’t always reach for the extraordinary, it succeeds as a thoughtful, well-crafted release that plays to Blanket’s strengths.