Following two incredible singles released last year, we now have the latest and sophomore full-length effort from Brighton's Hardkandy entitled Last To Leave. Compared to the mid-tempo funk and jazz that was so prevalent in the single releases, their full-length owes more to melancholy soul and downtempo acoustic moods. Along with the Al Green style of vocalist Sean Clarke, Chicago folk legend Terry Callier provides a vocal cameo.

1. Dizzy Dumb
2. Triage
3. Advice (feat. Terry Callier)
4. Brown Eyed Girl
5. Three Days
6. State Of You
7. Hold On
8. Loose Ends
9. Jack Of Clubs
10. Alright

Last To Leave was written within the theme of a fictional character named Jack Of Clubs, who's a middle-aged once-clubber trying to relive his glory days, to discover nothing but binge drinking and alienation. The plot may not be apparent all the way through, especially since about half the tracks are instrumental, but you certainly can't miss it in the lyrics of "State Of You".

On the melancholy side, you definitely want to check out "Dizzy Dumb" and "Jack Of Clubs" along with "Advice", which features the voice of Terry Callier. On the instrumental tip, "Triage" has a nice deep sub bass hum with mellow breaks, "Brown Eyed Girl" is more acoustic with a sound punctuated by harmonica, and "Loose Ends" is all kinds of deep and introspective. At mid-tempo pace are "Three Days" and "State Of You".

If you haven't already taken notice of Hardkandy it's about time you start. Last To Leave throws down a wide range of emotional content and deliver a fresh sound in the mid-tempo funk and melancholy soul jazz space edged with nice acoustics.

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