The Staves-All now

galvanising guitars, rollicking rhythms, and harmonies so intoxicating there should be an arrest warrant out for them – all of the facets that we’ve come to expect from the staves are not just here and accounted for but souped-up to grin-inducing highs. when a new album emerges from the guinness-quaffing watford trio, we sit up and pay attention. and we’re very glad that we did for this one, as the staves’ fifth outing is a wonder to be held close and cherished. don’t be fooled by the delicate fronds that chain these indie folk pearls together - at the core of ‘all now’ lies a sturdy resilience. a fierce determination. a sense of a band steeling themselves against outside forces. and they’ve managed to combine this with their seductive penchant for a damn good melody to create an album that is simultaneously heartening and joyful.