Their influences read like an indie cliché: the paintings of Edward Hopper, the writing of Raymond Carver and the films of Robert Altman. If you’re willing to give this Ivor Novello-winning British duo a chance, however, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the turn that their second album has taken.
Unlike their 2014 debut, folk plays a less prominent role here – particularly on the title track and Emeralds, which sound straight out of Tears for Fears atmos-1980s songbook, while the tremulous low-key acoustic rumble of Bruce Springsteen looms large on Dew on the Vine and many of the latter tracks.
It’s entirely too long, which means interest inevitably wanes around the final third – but betwixt the laboured moodiness, there are some moments of real beauty.
