REVIEW: Snarls - In Heaven There’s Rainbows
- Angel Turley
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
For a band whose music has always balanced vulnerability with infectious indie-rock charm, In Heaven There’s Rainbows feels like the moment SNARLS truly come into their own. The Ohio quartet’s latest EP is both a celebration of youthful optimism and an acknowledgement of the realities that threaten to dull it, delivering six tracks that shimmer with hope while carrying the scars of growing up.
At its core, In Heaven There’s Rainbows is about holding onto the things that once felt impossible. Whether it’s chasing creative ambitions, preserving meaningful relationships or refusing to abandon the dreams that shaped you, SNARLS spend the EP navigating the often complicated space between who you were and who you’re becoming. It’s a relatable premise, but one that the band executes with enough sincerity and personality to avoid slipping into cliché.
Leading the charge is recent single One Wish, arguably the clearest representation of where SNARLS are heading next. Written as a reminder to actively pursue the dreams you once imagined for yourself, the track bursts with colourful energy. Bright melodies collide with noticeably grittier guitars, signalling the heavier direction the band have hinted at while retaining the infectious hooks that have become their trademark. There are flashes of WET LEG’s playful confidence and the expansive indie-rock textures that have made WOLF ALICE such a formidable force, but SNARLS never lose sight of their own identity. Instead, they use those influences as a foundation for something increasingly distinct.
What’s immediately striking throughout the EP is just how much more confident the band sound. Previous releases showcased their knack for crafting memorable indie-rock songs, but In Heaven There’s Rainbows feels far more focused and deliberate. The guitars hit harder, the choruses land with greater impact and every arrangement feels carefully considered. Rather than chasing trends, SNARLS appear to have spent time figuring out exactly what they want the project to sound and feel like.
That confidence extends beyond the instrumentation. Lyrically, the EP captures the strange contradiction of modern adulthood: the expectation that you should have everything figured out while simultaneously feeling completely uncertain about what comes next. SNARLS tackle those anxieties with refreshing honesty, avoiding grand declarations in favour of smaller, more personal reflections. The result is a collection of songs that feel deeply human, inviting listeners to see their own experiences reflected back at them.
What prevents the record from becoming weighed down by introspection is its undeniable sense of fun. Even during its more reflective moments, In Heaven There’s Rainbows remains vibrant and alive. The band’s chemistry is impossible to ignore, with every track benefiting from the feeling that these songs were built collectively rather than around a single creative voice. It’s fitting, then, that the idea of friendship sits at the heart of the EP’s identity. The belief that shared ambition can overcome uncertainty runs through every song, giving the release an uplifting undercurrent that lingers long after the final notes fade.
The title itself perfectly encapsulates the EP’s outlook. It’s whimsical and slightly surreal, suggesting that beauty can exist even in difficult circumstances. That perspective defines the entire project. Rather than pretending life is easy, SNARLS acknowledge the challenges that come with growing older while choosing optimism anyway. It’s a subtle distinction, but an important one.
With In Heaven There’s Rainbows, SNARLS aren’t reinventing indie rock, nor do they need to. What they have done is refine their strengths into a concise and compelling statement of intent. By embracing heavier textures without sacrificing melody, and pairing emotional honesty with an undeniable sense of joy, they’ve delivered their strongest collection of songs to date. For anyone who’s ever felt caught between youthful ambition and adult reality, In Heaven There’s Rainbows offers a welcome reminder that it’s never too late to keep chasing what matters. Sometimes all it takes is one wish, and the courage to follow it.
Score: 8/10 In Heaven There's Rainbows will be released on 26th June 2026 via Take This To Heart Records.
Words: Angel Turley
Photos: Sumner Howells
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