Ultimate Painting - Break The Chain

Ultimate Painting might’ve only released their debut late last year, but already Veronica Falls’ James Hoare and Jack Cooper of Mazes are back with a follow-up. ‘Break The Chain’ - the first sneak peek ahead of second record ‘Green Lanes’ - pulls out the more frayed, hazy-ended threads of their debut, and ramps up the misty harmonies.

Ultimate Painting’s canvas has always had vague flecks of 70s rock; think Pink Floyd at their most meandering, Jethro Tull at their most flute-tootingly soothing. The former seems especially pronounced on ‘Break The Chain.’ Ultimate Painting scuff through loose, untidy drum fills and noodling, cul-de-sac melodies that lead nowhere, and way out the front there’s a seventh-filled piano line providing the only sense of mild urgency. Sun-soaked, lazy and sipping on ice-cold water, ‘Break The Chain’ is in no hurry, and it’s blissfully relaxing.