Embodying the abrasive masculinity of Jim Morrison and the insecure panic of Alex Jones, frontman Sebastian Murphy crystallises modern neurosis into a fantastic 40 minutes. The instrumentals and vocal performances are appropriately thunderous, but tightly computed with an electronic bravado. Impressively, too, the flow of the tracklist is refined despite its vitriol. One of the album’s very few shortcomings is in a conceptual repetition: the biological anthropology of the recurring ‘we used to be monkeys’ narrative isn’t quite as incisive as it could be given its airtime. Even so, ‘Cave World’ emits an unsettling intimacy and humour that is wildly gripping.
25/30
A favourite: ‘Ain’t No Thief’
‘Cave World’ is out now via YEAR0001.
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