On second track _ _ _ _ _ _ (In Plain Sight), Atkinson and Smyly’s words slow down and smear into one another as if in a David Lynch nightmare, the officer’s slurred demand ‘drop the weeeaaapooon’ poking through (the ‘weapon’ in question being Atkinson’s lightweight litter picker). In the mire of disoriented voices and synths, a dub reggae groove laid down by bassist Dave Greenwood cues a sojourn into sun-soaked shoegaze – a hazy respite from the noise and terror.
At just three songs long, _ _ _ _ _ _ is a tantalising offering and defiant, nine-minute closer For Eldorado, Whenever I May Find You is a promising epilogue. Challenging and compelling, Agvirre possess the skill and daring needed for their music to kick against the pricks – and win.
Verdict: 4/5
For Fans Of: Pijn, Svalbard, Godspeed You! Black Emperor
_ _ _ _ _ _ is released on January 28 via Surviving Sounds / Trepanation Recordings.