Represents one of  the two best pop rock albums of 2013.

Norfolk band Deaf Havana seemed to be following the tried and tested route of faux angst ridden emo, and yet traces of 'Old Souls' could be heard sporadically on its predecessor 'Fools and Worthless Liars' during some of the interludes and most obviously on opening track 'The Past Six Years' and album closer '54'.

Determined to forge an identity, 'Old Souls' completely breaks away from the competent formulaic methodology evident earlier in the band's career and breaks right into pure pop territory. 'The Gas Light Anthem' qualities can be heard throughout particularly on opener 'Boston Square', the stomp of 'Ghosts Of the Kings Road' or the effortless 'Speeding Cars' and yet it's wrapped up in a smooth shell laced with harmony.

Instantly hummable pop rock is the order of the day on 'Mildred' or the exquisite radio friendly '22' which has more hooks than a school coat room with vocalist James Veck-Gilodi taking to the new material like a duck to water. Supporting Bruce Springsteen at a recent Hard Rock Calling event seems like the perfect fit for Deaf Havana's smoothed out blue collar rock and clearly the band has a huge future.

'Old Souls' along with Kids In Glass Houses recent 'Peace' release represent the two best pop rock albums of 2013.

Mike Newdeck