Bleep

Feather-ruffling, remarkably candid and always artistically truthful, Mark Kozelek returns under the Sun Kil Moon banner for the followup to 2014’s critics favourite, Benji. Much like its predecessor, Universal Themes runs on a currency of stream-of-consciousness lyricism where the everyday amenities of adult life sit alongside introspective reflection and deep personal recollection. Kozelek has roped in a slightly heavier level of production this time round, cuts like With A Grace… carry a certain weightiness that was less present on Benji’s stripped back musings. The focus - as always - is on Kozelek himself on this LP, standout moments come on cuts like The Possum and Little Rascals where is broken vocal comes to fore and his remarkable talent as a storyteller fully flourishes.