After the brief flirtation with a major label, Kids in Glass Houses return with a fan-funded fourth full-length on which the benefits of creative freedom are immediately obvious. ‘Peace’ is clearly the album the Welsh pop-rockers have wanted to release for some time. Gone are the mature overtones that dominated ‘In Gold Blood’; instead listeners are treated to their most commercially accessible sound to date, and the band are a thousand times better for it.
Exploding into the title track (and arguably the best album on the record), ‘Peace’ grabs the pop bull by the horns and rodeos until the cows come home. Hints of ‘Saturday’ and ‘Give Me What You Want’ are immediately present in the first three powerhouses. Single ‘Drive’ keeps momentum high, yet it is the extraordinarily catchy ‘Set My Body Free’ that defines the record.
Even if the album does climax early, there are plenty of pop-infused numbers to retain the creative flow. ‘The Runaways’ sees Aled Phillips’ distinctive vocals sit atop the masterful melodies that Kids in Glass Houses have become synonymous for, whereas the likes of ‘Novacaine’ allow the inherent pop percussion to outshine the guitars. The emotive melodies remain with the likes of ‘Storm Chasers’, yet at its core this is a record willed with brazen guitar pop.
The truly unashamed reverse approach to the record when compared to the two prior (‘In Gold Blood’ in particular) is both admirable and effective. Kids in Glass Houses sound better when they create simple and fun melodies, and ‘Peace’ is bursting with enjoyment. These abundant pop sensibilities remain even where the record slows in tempo, such as on album closer ‘Nightcrawler’.
‘Peace’ isn’t about to break any musical boundaries, yet its existence as an engaging and outright fun album is entirely justified. By taking the reins, Kids in Glass Houses have steered the horse back on course. With bangers like ‘Set My Body Free’ and the title track, this is one horse that shows no sign of backing down.
BEN TIPPLE