Tindersticks - The Waiting Room: Masters of understated, vaporous cabaret

Tindersticks have always been masters of understatement, so why change a winning formula 24 years in?

Given their background in soundtrack composition, it’s no surprise that that element has increasingly crept into Stuart Staples and co’s already-atmospheric sound, and their 10th album blends vaporous cabaret with their frontman’s trademark shuddering quiver to gorgeous effect.

Several slinky, jazzy instrumentals set the tone beautifully, while even the more clamorous numbers (Were We Once Lovers?) are treated with reverence.

Jehnny Beth of Savages duets on stormy duet We Are Dreamers!, while the funereal burble of organ on the title track is especially poignant.

In one respect, it’s more of the same from Tindersticks – yet it’s also one of their most tonally cohesive albums to date.

[ tindersticks.co.uk ]