The latest release from British indie-folk band Matthew & The Atlas comes with many a pleasant surprise.
Inventive and attention-catching songwriting, impeccable performances and an astoundingly haunting voice from lead singer Matt Hegarty give the listener plenty to sink their proverbial teeth into. Elijah, with its sparsely populated instrumentation, right-on-the-mic singing and rhythmic fingerpicking, is a highlight of the album; an extended hand, held out to someone clearly in pain and anguish. Achingly beautiful, profound and morose, it is a strong point on a powerful album.
