Italian rockers
Giuda have been enthusiastically peddling their 21st century take on '70s glam, power pop, and hard rock for over a decade. Throughout three full-lengths, a smattering of singles, and numerous tours on both sides of the Atlantic, the Roman four-piece have kept their riffs tight, their choruses shoutable, and their rock & roll dial set strictly to fun. 2019's
E.V.A. (extravehicular activity) is no exception, with the fun this time taking place largely off-planet. Populating this set are a variety of flashy space-themed rockers like "Interplanetary Craft" and the lusty "Cosmic Love," while other thematically titled cuts like "Space Walk" and "Space Go" keep the formula even simpler, offering little more than chants of "Walk! Space walk!" and "Go, space go!" over chunky, rousing riffs. Of the earthbound cuts, the hard-driving opener offers a knowing nod to
Judas Priest's "You've Got Another Thing Coming," and the closer, "Junk," is a spirited ode to garage sales and thrifting. While it's doubtful anyone is looking to
Giuda for their depth of content, there is a bit of déjà vu to these ten songs which, thematic setting aside, sound very much like the band's first three albums. Say what you want about
Slade (a noted influence of
Giuda's), but even
Noddy & Co. evolved noticeably during their career. That said, if
Giuda seem a little stuck in one place, there are certainly worse places to be, and their attention to rock & roll craft and detail remains admirable and perfectly enjoyable on
E.V.A.