Some records give the impression they’ve been lived with for a long time. Not because they’re nostalgic, but because they carry a quiet confidence that’s difficult to manufacture. That’s the feeling Time in the Light leaves behind.

Strawhouses never sound as though they’re trying to impress with sheer scale. The arrangements expand when they need to, then step aside just as easily, leaving plenty of space for the album’s ideas to settle. That gives the music a natural pace, allowing each track to find its own character without pushing too hard for attention.

The record also avoids taking the same route twice. “Fireworks” opens with a striking historical setting, while “No Other Way Round” explores how timing can change the course of a relationship. Elsewhere, the title track finds meaning in everyday life, before the closing songs gradually shift the focus towards life’s final chapter.

One of the album’s biggest strengths is its sense of perspective. Big themes are approached through recognisable situations rather than grand statements, making the songs easy to connect with without ever feeling overplayed.

Out now via Now Listen, Time in the Light leaves a lasting impression because it never tries to force one. Strawhouses trust the listener to spend time with these songs, and that quiet confidence gives the album a character that’s increasingly uncommon.