Second LP by the London young experimental, baroque-pop theatrical troupe, and many ways far stronger than their much applauded, though arguably over-hyped 2021 debut, ironically now having greater intensity as frontman and singer Isaac Wood quits on release date. Due to personal unhappiness and stress over performance, perhaps also with a year of expectation and pressure, expecting to soar into bigger territory, but those plans nosediving as their album launch event and tour is cancelled. It is hard to think of how the lucky seven, despite co-written songs with fine arrangements, will retain their power and identity when becoming an unlucky six, such is Wood’s presence here, especially on powerful tracks Concorde, The Place Where He Inserted The Blade, Chaos Space Marine or epic closing number Basketball Shoes, an older track that eventually formed the basis of much of this material. There is palpable greater maturity and growth from debut For The First Time, with better weighted instrumentation, and Wood’s delivery expressing tragedy with intimacy with a subtle, dark humour to full-pelt emotion that sometimes even a Cocker-esque vocal range, and so it’s a shame for all that the weight of doing this feels too great. Out on Ninja Tune.
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