Dean Blunt – Black Metal

Preparing yourself for the unexpected from Dean Blunt is almost a given, and Black Metal is yet again another fascinating sidestep. Despite previous intimations of swerving ‘sexless’ record buyers, Blunt’s first LP for Rough Trade at times sounds exactly that; a first half of heartfelt Britpop meets slowcore (LUSH, 100) drifting into minimal dub and experimental soul (X) courtesy of the unnerving FOREVER acting as the album’s pivot. However, due to the lack of thematic arc compared to The Redeemer, Black Metal falls short of the complete picture that Blunt's indescribable genius can typically paint.

Perhaps it’s best to compare this album, if you must, to Blunt’s previous work under Hype Williams; many of these tracks don’t sound like they really care what you think, and all for the better. Black Metal is the most raw Blunt has been in years, yet again reinforcing his reputation for consistently intriguing listeners both familiar and new. [Jon Davies]