Rockers The Spill Canvas is a band turning heads with their complex song-writing and utter emotion. The act takes to the alternative rock stage again with new album Conduit, a record stylish but also dark in subject. Through the torrent of optimism, there is a solemn undertow, and undercurrent which occasionally spills over. Lead singer Nick Thomas tries to nullify ghosts from the past, phantoms that impede and take shelter.

Conduit breaks ground for this band. Not only is it a fresh inclusion, but it matters. The song-writing ability of these musicians is high and paramount, and they knock on the door of new beliefs, and through their music they portray hurt. The intelligent lyrics also keep the listener interested, as these stories point to life.

Sincerity goes a long way, and these songs are integral to the way The Spill Canvas want us to feel. Throughout Conduit, misery impacts, it releases its dark cloud. The guitars and instrumental influence create an upbeat impression, but under the weight, the lyrics command us to see through all that thick clout.

Architecture begins the record. It is an infectious staple, prompting all to take notice. It is guitar driven, mesmerising and the lyrics point to the inevitability of death and the world as a crumbling globe. Darkside shows Thomas’s range as a vocalist. He is able and his voice channels belief and the sincerity we all need. He is on a rampage here, singing for truth. Blueprints is a softer track, conveying sickness, and Thomas struggles to move on. The melody is arresting. Gallon begins with strums and subtle vocals. The acoustic vibes add dimension.

The Spill Canvas struggle on through a world that is unkempt. A world impacted by hazards and unsustainable choices. The music is not all roses and colour either; it is melancholic, sombre, and unmistakably sad. This does not taint the subject and the sound, as Conduit alerts and excites.