Bleep

The union of Not Waving and Mark Lanegan produces an LP of dark, dystopian balladry. On Downwelling, Lanegan operates under the name of Dark Mark. This proves to be a fine advertisement for the sort of performances he brings here - while the brooding Southern Gothicism of mid-period Nick Cave is the closest touchstone, the likes of Tom Waits and Scott Walker also skulk in the corners of Lanegan’s desert-noir delivery. Not Waving’s instrumental accompaniments are consistently excellent, framing Lanegan’s voice with everything from ominous digitised folkscapes (‘On The Yard’) to blissful, almost Laraaji-style ambiences (‘Persimmon Tree’). Not to be missed.