Esben and the Witch – Wash the Sins Not Only the Face

The title to track four of Esben and the Witch's second album – Shimmering – says it all, really. This is a band that, from the first listen, was always destined to be met by adjectives like 'glacial' and 'otherworldly.' 2011’s Violet Cries was a cold and at times difficult listen, but here that deliberate obtuseness has been dialled down slightly in favour of a few more disctinctly memorable offerings.

The tribal drumming and Emma Davies’ anguished vocals on When That Head Splits steers the band closer to Bat for Lashes territory, which is never a bad thing. Deathwaltz is also far less morose than fans might suspect, with its delicate guitar riff sounding positively playful. But where Violet Cries let itself down is, to a lesser extent, also a fault here. More interested in creating the right atmosphere, at times the band forget to expose a beating heart. Perhaps album number three will finally break down the icy exterior.