On Love + Electricity, Killian Hough doesn’t just flirt with nostalgia—he fully immerses himself in it, layering each synth line in neon hues and VHS-filtered longing. His sophomore album captures the euphoric highs of infatuation, the inevitable crash, and the cycle of self-renewal. Blending 80s synthpop, indie sleaze, and melodies fit for a 2010s Tumblr dashboard, Hough crafts an ambitious yet occasionally uneven body of work. At its best, it pulses with urgency; at its weakest, it struggles to maintain the momentum that makes it compelling in the first place.

The title track Love + Electricity, immediately sets the scene, evoking the all-consuming rush of new love with pulsating synths and layered vocal echoes that feel like they’re pulling from the same sonic playbook as artists like The Midnight and Chvrches.

Then there’s Whistle & Walk (Remix), a track that carries far more weight than its infectious beat might suggest. Originally released in 2022 and later paired with a Mean Girls-inspired music video reminiscent of Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next, the song was never just about fleeting romance—it was a direct message to Hough’s critics. “I will never again / Let all of their bitchin’ ruin my day,” he sings over an irresistible electropop instrumental. Beneath its dance-floor-ready exterior, it is the most upbeat f-the haters anthem.

Despite its bright moments, “Love + Electricity” doesn’t always hit the mark. The album’s fluid blend of genres—combining 80s synth-wave, indie pop, and experimental production—sounds promising in theory but doesn’t always come together cohesively. Muses kicks off with a hazy swirl of synths and pulsing beats, echoing Starboy-era The Weeknd, but it never quite finds its footing. Its placement in the tracklist feels off, making it harder to appreciate its strengths.

The album regains its momentum in the final stretch. Lilacs fully embraces its DX7-soaked nostalgia, layering bright, bouncy production over lyrics that linger in a sense of closure. “The echoes of laughter whisper & cries and float along the current where memory lies,” Hough sings, his delivery soft but piercing. The album closes with Heaven, a track that feels more like a rebirth than a resolution—whether it signals a return to love or a newfound sense of self is left open to interpretation.

Love + Electricity loops through the highs, the crash, and the pull to start again. Hough’s second album doesn’t play it safe—it leans into experimentation, showcasing an artist still carving out his space. If he sharpens that vision in future projects, this journey could lead to something truly lasting.

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Final Verdict

⭐ Essential Listening For: Fans of The Midnight, The Ready Set (Feel Good Now era), Chvrches, and nostalgic yet modern synthpop.
⭐ Best Track: Whistle & Walk (Remix) – A self-assured anthem with an irresistible hook and a message that hits harder on repeat listens.
⭐ For Fans Of: 80s-inspired synthpop, emotionally-charged electropop, and artists who blend nostalgia with contemporary production.

🔥 Rating: 7.4/10 – A bold and promising release from an artist still defining his sound.

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Follow Killian Hough

Stay connected with Killian Hough for updates, new music, and exclusive content:

🔗 Official Website: killianhough.com
📸 Instagram: @killianhough
🐦 Twitter/X: @killianhough
📘 Facebook: Killian Hough Music
🎥 YouTube: Killian Hough on YouTube
🎶 Bandcamp: Killian Hough on Bandcamp