Sparrow and the Workshop – Murderopolis

Since their first EP dropped four years ago, Sparrow and the Workshop have stacked up the accolades for a sound that, in lesser hands, would border on pastiche. But the skill and aplomb with which the band delivers their pseudo-gothic balladry and cactus-flavoured rollickers has, rightfully, exempt them from such critiques. Murderopolis deftly continues the arc. Their sound has grown rockier by record and on occasion (see Darkness and lead single Shock Shock), there’s a tasteful hint of Fever to Tell-era Yeah Yeah Yeahs on show.

Jill O’Sullivan’s honeyed vocals are again set to centre stage. Opening track Valley of Death reminds us that Caitlin Rose has been doing a half decent O’Sullivan turn since we last heard from the trio, while the salacious set highlight Odessa has to be one of the vocal highlights of the year so far. Thankfully, there’s nothing over-complicated here. Murderopolis is 11 fine tracks from a band that should really be reaching more ears. [Finbarr Bermingham]