The Blackheart Orchestra was a name I was familiar with via Prog magazine but not enough to fully investigate further so this time I thought I would give the new album a try.

Turns out I’d should have taken a chance earlier because Hotel Utopia is a fantastic album. For just a duo the sound they make is quite immense.

Under the Headlights was the first single and as good a representation as you need. The chorus just screams out to be played on commercial radio, as catchy as hell. Then, to change the pace a short-spoken word sample which leads on to section that I swear was lifted from an unreleased Hounds of Love track.

It has to be said that the spirit of Ms Bush does linger heavily in places – Safe wouldn’t be too out of place in one of her earlier eclectic albums

The chorus to The Warning is quite bonkers, “You, Me and the Holy Ghost and we all laugh like we get the joke” but again it just hooks you in.

With all the catchy pop there is also maybe a hint of Roxette to be found with the songs which is no bad thing.

Astronaut is the most straightforward rock song here while the closing epic 9 minute long The Flood gives the band plenty of space to musically indulge especially with a great guitar solo.

I probably should have given the band a chance earlier, but this is a great introduction so time to look deeper into the back catalogue