Shun‘s first, self titled album, released in 2021, was a very special record indeed, and although their new offering, Dismantle, doesn’t quite scale the heights of it’s predecessor, there’s still plenty to enjoy within it’s spacious, ambitious grooves.

The excellent Drawing Names comes closest to paralleling the achievements of the debut, motoring along on the back of some impressive drumming from Rob Elzey and Matt Whitehead’s characteristic, spiralling guitar lines. The bass-driven grunge of You’re The Sea will get pulses racing too, with Jeff Baucom filling all available space with four strings in a crawling, oozing performance that reeks of menace before the inevitable light-filled explosion  courtesy of the voice and guitar of Whitehead.

The Getaway grinds along in impressive fashion, and fans of the heavier end of the Shun spectrum will revel in the relentlessly tight work of all three band members as they create a claustrophobic atmosphere through sheer weight of riffage, in the process demonstrating a neat understanding of dynamics and the importance of light and shade. Penultimate track Through The Looking Glass takes this theme further, contrasting gentle verses with huge, upswelling choruses and Whitehead’s most memorable vocal to create a fine, drama laden track that comes complete with some rather nice guitar histrionics too.

In the fullness of time, Dismantle may well come to be seen as the equal of Shun’s excellent debut, but it does just lack the immediacy and sheer blindsiding impact of it’s older sibling. But, all that being said, you’d have to say that most bands operating in Shun’s chosen theatre in 2024 would kill to have even a fraction of this remarkable trio’s talent, so this album must still be seen as a success overall. Hats off to all concerned!

Dismantle is out now.