Album Review: Balancing Act - Who've You Come As (Part 1)

The wait is over - Balancing Act have officially dropped their debut album, and it’s everything we hoped for and more. Since bursting onto the scene in 2022, the band has steadily carved out a space for themselves with electrifying live shows and consistently compelling releases. Now, with Who’ve You Come As, they’ve entered a bold new chapter, one that feels like a defining moment.

Their first two EPs, A Malice in Tone and Tightropes and Limericks, were a charming whirlwind of raw energy and playful experimentation. But this album? It’s deeper, darker, and more refined. The band is growing into their own sound, and you can hear it in every note.

The journey kicks off with “Talks A Lot”, originally the fourth single in the rollout, though it feels like the true ignition point of the record. It’s a sonic fever dream in the best possible way - unpredictable, intoxicating and strangely intimate. Kai Roberts' vocals are as sharp and emotive as ever, but the instrumentation here feels bolder than anything Balancing Act have attempted before, building towards a climax in the latter half that is easily some of the most exhilarating work they've delivered to date. It's the kind of opener that grabs you by the collar and drags you into its world. 

Next up, “Scar”, the album’s very first single and still one of its brightest sparks. It's pure earworm magic - one of those tracks that sneaks into your day uninvited and refuses to leave. You'll find yourself humming it while making coffee, tapping your foot on the bus or mouthing the chorus in the supermarket aisles. Live, it transforms into something even bigger: a communal sing-along moment that demands participation. It's Balancing Act at their most accessible, without sacrificing an ounce of craft.

Then comes “Bonneville Salt Flat Jive”, the album’s first major tonal shift. The band describes it as “Lynchian” and “Burtonesque” and honestly, that’s spot on. It’s eerie, theatrical and totally unexpected – but it works. The accompanying music video is a visual treat. Add this one to your Halloween playlist and let the music haunt you!

“Had Another Mare” follows as the second half of this eerie duo. There’s no other word for it: it’s just cool. It's the kind of track that makes you want to put on sunglasses indoors and pretend you're in a noir film. 

Next track is “Mr Handsome”, and it once again proves that Balancing Act are anything but conventional. Their refusal to be boxed in sonically is what makes them so exciting, and this song is a prime example. With swagger and edge, it channels the spirit of Arctic Monkeys at their most daring, while still sounding distinctly their own. It's stylish, punchy and full of personality.

“Quebec” is a tearjerker. The emotional core of the album. Balancing Act have a knack for delivering one track per release that absolutely wrecks you, and this is that moment – Lyrically and sonically devastating, delivered with a sincerity that feels almost intrusive to witness. 

Closing out the album is “The Breaks”, and it does with a bang. Though, not a chaotic explosion, but a controlled, cathartic release. It ties the album together with a sense of resolution, the kind that feels earned rather than emposed. Vocally rich, musically grounded and emotionally resonant - it's a fitting end to a debut that refuses to play it safe.

All that is left to say, is: this is one hell of a debut album. Balancing Act haven’t just arrived; they’ve kicked the door down and lit the room on fire. This record is no quiet introduction to the band but rather a full-volume announcement from the rooftops. Every track feels like a statement, every shift in tone like a deliberate and daring step forward. We’re witnessing a band in motion, evolving in real time – and it’s thrilling to watch.

Massive congrats to the boys on a bold and brilliant debut. And not to be greedy, but we’re dying to know what Part 2 holds. Please don’t keep us waiting too long.

Catch Balancing Act live on tour (you really, really should): Balancing Act Live

The band on socials: Instagram & Tiktok

What did you think of the album? What’s your favourite track? Let us know.

WHO’VE YOU COME AS (PART 1) OUT NOW.