Poliça – United Crushers

Nervy percussion, spare arrangements, Channy Leaneagh's distinctive vocals: Poliça are as easily identifiable as ever, despite not being, three albums in, particularly distinguished. United Crushers drifts as often as it sparks. Wedding is tremendous: a jittery, skipping remove from the chilled template. Melting Block frees itself similarly: when Poliça loosen, flex, abandon the template, they're a thrilling proposition. But more often than not, United Crushers settles into a groove and gets comfy. 

When they coast – as on Lime Habit and Berlin – and set trigger beats and snap pulses whirring as Leaneagh sings around the melody, you will them to produce a killer hook, a bruising crescendo, a dramatic peak. CHVRCHES devotees will yearn for a little more bite but fans of London Grammar may find this a serviceable stop-gap. It's beautifully crafted, but this is not the Poliça album to cement their appeal at a level outside of the devoted hardcore.