One-time War On Drugs member Kurt Vile is already onto his fifth solo LP, and it’s the Philadelphian’s most focused to date. Shedding much of the lo-fi aesthetic typifying previous work – including 2011’s critically acclaimed ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ – ‘Walkin On A Daze’s classic rock is only enriched by its keener edge. Opener ‘Walkin On A Pretty Day’ is Vile at his most accomplished, with forlorn vocals bleeding over an immaculate arrangement of ponderous guitars; at nine minutes long, it finds him in no hurry to make his point. Taking his time, as much of the album does, is no bad thing when the melodies are this compelling.
8/10
Words by DARREN LOUCAIDES
