So, dropped past the shop today to swing a leg over the HD4 today.
Felt absolutely no love for it. It felt heavier than it actually was and sizing and feel just didn't feel at all right for me. No doubt it would plow downhill, but didn't feel very lively for the trail and pedalling side of things.
The guys at the shop suggested I try a Ibis Ripmo. Holy moly, it sure felt right. Didn't feel "like a 29er" at all! Runs a 44mm offset fork which works really well with the geo. Doesn't feel floppy or vague at all. Back end is very settled for seated pedalling, and just soaked up anything else I threw at it (plenty of cobblestone lanes, gutters, and bunny-hopping off ramps and traffic islands was done) and still had a good light and poppy trail bike feel, just with a little added travel. Front end felt good but only being a size L was still a little tight around the knees when turning for me.
Also had a spin on a Yeti SB5.5, which was also quite nice, but the sizing was a little off for me (short reach, tall seat tube) and I didn't like the rear suspension as much as the Ripmo.
So I ordered a Ripmo frameset with an X2 and gambled on a "2019" Fox 36 to match.
E.T.A is mid-June on the frameset, and fork is put aside to wait. I'll need to sort out some wheels, and everything brakes and drivetrain I'll swap from my 5010. In theory I could fit a 185mm dropper with the super low seat tube too.
But anyway - thanks for all the assistance! It ended a little differently to how I expected, but damn it felt good. Can't wait to get it together and go send it down the trails!
Oh and a bit of random info, the guy at the LBS said Ibis has recently changed production factories and are now made by the same factory that manufactures Yeti.