Album Review: Hungry Kids Of Hungary - You're A Shadow

Like the kids of Hungary, the punters are hungry – hungry for a new album since the release of their last, the likeable Escapades. That record raised expectation for You're A Shadow, which has been a long time coming as lead single Sharp Shooter was released in October 2012 to a smattering of applause.

Sharp Shooter typifies the songs throughout You're A Shadow: guitars, melodious and sweet harmonies with copious and catchy backing vocals. The album is produced by the ever-impressive Wayne Connolly, who's worked with The Grates and Neil Finn, and his stamp of professionalism shows across the LP.

If Twin Cities is edgier than most songs heard on Escapades, Litter And Sand is more reminiscent of the '60s with a distinct undertone that sounds like a Beach Boys vibe.

On Someone Else's Fool, singer Dean McGrath talks of being messed around at 3am and how he'd rather try his luck at another relationship. Not an easy message to craft, yet McGrath and company deliver it in an upbeat and catchy way, avoiding being bogged down in melancholy.

Colours, one of the more sombre tracks, talks of time colliding with lyrics that spout, “I know you're still trying”. Memo opens with a fine hook that fills the void for what seems like 50 seconds, yet the hook is there, ever-present throughout.

Although not as punchy, or poppy, as previous efforts You're A Shadow is an extremely accomplished piece of indie magic from the Queenslanders. Anything Kings of Leon can do, the Hungry Kids Of Hungary can do just as well, without the attitude.