Come This Far is a riveting new album from Portuguese-Irish duo Hot Air Balloon, whose songs unfold with both emotional and melodic momentum. Their 2016 debut album, Behind the Walls, drew ample praise — being nominated for the Independent Music Awards, in particular. Come This Far comes nearly a decade later, and Hot Air Balloon didn’t miss a beat; they continue to immerse with songwriting that balances melodic charms with lyrical introspection. Reflections on their life journey, including marriage and parenthood, resonate within a stellar production and a tendency for satiating structural build-ups.
The album’s opening title track is exemplary of Hot Air Balloon’s ability for climactic intrigue. “Reach for the stars, that’s who you are,” Sarah-Jane’s vocals let out, moving into a spoken-word suaveness that marvels how “wonderful it is.” The second half then invigorates with its melding of whirring guitars and sharp synth buzzes, culminating in a powerful final minute where the title-touting refrain glides alongside textured guitars and spirited synths. The ensuing “Do It Again” struts a similarly compelling evolution, there moving from trickling guitars and ruminations on the daily dance of life, into a pulsing rock edge with shades of Wolf Alice as sturdy guitar distortion takes hold.
The atmosphere throughout the album is consistently enveloping. A ghostly spell emanates on one such example in “Saoirse,” where pit-pattering rhythmic elements move into twanging guitar mystique and a haunting refrain-centering enthrallment. Flickering guitar tones and wordless vocal soaring illuminates a gorgeous final minute, furthering an already-intoxicating soundscape. “LAYERS” is another highlight, resembling TOPS in its “make you feel alright,” reassurances and driving guitar jangles — culminating in heavier doses of psych-ready guitar elongation in the second half, especially. Hot Air Balloon delight in their expressions of various tones — from nighttime-set contemplation to ardently anthemic impacts — and “LAYERS” is another showcase of such.
A riveting album finale, “Getting Back to Myself” plays like a cathartic send-off — infusing backing organs within a soulful vocal delivery and moody guitar progressions, as the lyrics allude to regaining confidence and personal spirit, thanks to another. “Getting back to myself, because of you,” vocals ring out with scorching passion, punctuated by expressive guitar work into the final minute. Out on May 30th, Come This Far is a fantastic album from Hot Air Balloon, with the duo of Tiago and Sarah-Jane excelling with songcraft that unveils both sincere emotion and melodically gripping structural ascents.
