esben & the witch
Violet Cries
Matador
it’s been a slow & gradual climb to get to the brighton trio’s debut, however the trek has been absolutely worth it. the previously released ‘marching song’ & ‘warpath’ serve as good entry points to the textured, deep & sometimes abrasive world they create; it’s a bold vision, a strange-yet-beautiful place where cold, brittle electronics & shimmering guitar carry along the vocals of rachel davies, whose crystal intonation & haunting presence at times gives her the air of a more ethereal siouxsie sioux. the songs are rich & deep, with many layers of sound to immerse yourself in & an otherworldly lyrical imagery that perfectly fits with the music. a very fine record that gets better & better with each listen. highly recommended! “its painstaking attention to detail, dark shadows & languid depths will see it become an essential companion for many sombre souls in 2011 & beyond” – bbc, “there’s a far richer & more refined set of treats on display here than any of the band’s contemporaries could rustle up” 8/10 – nme.
