Early signees to Manchester band PINS’ cassette-only label Haus of Pins, Dublin quintet September Girls quickly attracted attention with their tribal rhythms and vocals and chiming guitars. They were perfectly at home on the label, playing music that fit nicely alongside their label-owners and contemporaries at the gigs they played together. This positive start was followed by success at events like Liverpool Psych Fest, SXSW and Beacons and Great Escape.

The band has since signed to Fortuna Pop and released two LPs. 2014’s Cursing The Sea saw them utilise their many vocalists to produce a record filled with reasonably short songs driven by harmonies that defied the aggressive, propulsive rhythms that were the foundation of the songs. The album was riotous and benefitted from the band’s impassioned live performances.

Second album Age Of Indignation sees the band expand their musical style, complimenting the perfectly simple garage-pop of their first record with winding, howling riffs and at times outright hostile vocal melodies.

Age Of Indignation is an angry record. It references aspects of Irish history and the literature produced in response. Its lyrics cover religion, politics and feminism; the fact that the songs were written by various band members does not detract from the focus of what it is the band have to say.

The album’s consideration of religion – and its place within Ireland – is prevalent, and is at times underpinned by a religious feel to the music. Lauren Kerchner’s keyboards are more effective here than on the debut album. The organ sounds that fill the space underneath Banshees-esque vocals on Catholic Guilt ground the music in imagery associated with the lyrical content. The multi-vocal, almost choral chants on Salvation and John of Gods are hypnotic. September Girls possess that ability – like bands like PINS and Warpaint – to use their numerous voices to add to the instrumentation of the album to construct a genuinely haunting yet beguiling atmosphere.

As with their earlier releases, September Girls are at their best when barrelling forward atop Sarah Grimes’ rolling, tom-heavy drum work. Album highlight Quicksand best demonstrates this aspect of the band; its urgency providing the album with a burst of energy before it draws to a close with the slow-burning Wolves. Songs like the album closer, as well as the opener Ghosts exhibit a side to the band more willing to allow songs to gather momentum slowly, layering elements of the music on top of one another gradually in a way that was not present on their debut.

Age Of Indignation is a record that shows a band becoming more assured and adventurous as it ages. It has something to say, and the music augments and accentuates that message.

The album is released April 8 on Fortuna Pop.