Wu-Lu’s South London is being gutted: the vibrance that gave it a life is now filtered through unforgiving pipes of amoral opportunism. However, ‘LOGGERHEAD’ is a lone howl, not a rallying cry. It is the second storm that followed the first. The instruments embody this anxious, angular self-reflection, but Wu-Lu’s vocal performances are often swallowed by the mixing; as a result, they fail to sound relevant in the sonic environment. It’s an idiosyncratic choice that will work for some, but some of the best grunge instrumentals of the year are frankly spearheaded without equal bite. Still, it’s a well-orchestrated album that walks through its searing emotion with authentic imperfections.
21/30
A favourite: ‘Ten’
‘Loggerhead’ is out now via Warp Records.
100 words music reviews 