Midnight and Closedown

After a wait of nearly four years the British folk scene's bravest experimenters are back with their fifth studio album, and yet another subtle shift of direction. As with their previous set, The Bell That Never Rang, the emphasis is on songs; there are five here, with three instrumentals. Kris Drever is in fine, relaxed voice, with his cool, thoughtful baritone set against a wash of guitar, fiddle, harmonica and often edgy electronic effects that constantly twist and change direction. The mood is often as sombre as their titles, ‘I Don't Want to Die Here’ or ‘Itshardtoseemtobeokwhenyourenot.’ Fiddler Aidan O'Rourke says they are influenced by Brexit and themes of ‘Isolation. Fear. Giddiness. Cutting ties with allies, friends and partners.’ Those ideas were also an inspiration for ‘Riad’, a gently elegant and thoughtful instrumental that demonstrates, yet again, the extraordinary interplay between the trio. And then there's ‘Echolalia’, another instrumental, that starts as an elegant theme for fiddle and accordion, spirals off into a guitar-backed snatch of scat vocals, and builds up into a grand, swirling and mesmeric soundscape.

Helped by their new producer John Parish, famed for his work with PJ Harvey and Rokia Traoré, Lau have produced an often gently mournful but classic new set.