This Hamden, CT outfit was formerly known as Dear You but apparently the name was taken and so they changed it to Wolves At Bay. I can fully understand that the other Dear You didn’t want these guys’ competition because “Only A Mirror” is an impressive debut full-length.

Blurring the lines between post-hardcore and punkrock, Wolves At Bay have a knack for writing tunes that are as melodic as they are raw. Think of Make Do And Mend or Balance & Composure and you’ll get the picture. There’s plenty of variation offered here with a song like “I Have Nothing To Offer” showing off the band’s edgier side and “Breaking In Two” which comes with a focus on atmosphere and a slightly mellower vibe.

All this makes “Only A Mirror” a very convincing and consistent debut and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think that these guys have never done anything else than making music together.