Album Review: Mush - Lines Redacted

Almost a year on from the release of their critically acclaimed full-length debut - '3D Routine', Leeds threesome Mush are back with a quintessentially British hot-take on matters ranging from fake news and the absurdity of global politics, to the unfounded optimism and complacency of todays society.

From that opening paragraph alone, it would be easy for anyone who's yet to learn of Mush or listen to the new album 'Lines Redacted', released via indie label Memphis Industries today (Friday 12th February), to presume yet another collection of on-trend protests of post-punk dissent - the likes of which have been issued by the more pissed off sounding collectives, such as IDLES, Shame, Protomartyr, Fontaines D.C. and so on on. But they'd be wrong...

Instead what we find is a playful and experimental assortment of artsy, slacker-rock arrangements, accompanied by facetious and topical, lyrical observations, and the bizarre delivery of instruments and vocals of which Mush have become renowned. A fitting monument to the bands late guitarist - Steven Tyson, whose adept guitar shredding talents helped to shape the groups sound.

Take the unmistakable voice of frontman and guitarist Dan Hyndman for example. His self described 'shrill and cutting' vocal style is part of what helps to set the band apart from the likes of the aforementioned poster boys of post-punk. And never more so than on 'Lines Redacted'. It's a style that shouldn't and probably wouldn't work in many other lineups but for Mush, it seems to add further to the juxtaposition of the spoken and musical content, bringing a tongue-in-cheek feel to the new record.

Combined with peculiar guitar tunings, odd lines of rhythmic bass, and the jagged and groovy percussive foundation on which the album stands, and the resulting sound is both a recognisable and accomplished one. A thoroughly interesting and refreshing record which, in our opinion, needs several listens to be fully appreciated

Our Top Tracks:

The albums opening track - 'Drink the Bleach'; an ode to the toupee donning, fake tanned monstrosity that recently departed from the White House, and a nod to his questionable health advice during his time in office. A great introduction and a flavour of what can be expected from the rest of this measured and yet nonchalant album.

Other noteworthy mentions include lead single 'Blunt Instruments', 'Clean Living' and weird and wonderful instrumental track - 'Morf'.

Skiddle's Album Review Rating - 8/10

Header image: James Brown