Matador
If you’ve been paying attention to music’s ever fickle wax and wane of micro-genres chances are you recall Esben and the Witch getting wrapped up in the whole “witch house” trend a few years back. After all the English act were definitely moody enough on their 2011 debut album Violet Cries what with their darkened goth-like vibes. Of course witch house has pretty much been reduced to ironic Tumblr status at this point but that hasn’t caused Esben and the Witch to ditch their doom-and-gloom sound.
Much like the band’s debut Wash the Sins Not Only the Face is all about the haunting atmospherics as the trio focus on evolution not revolution. But as could be expected the Esben and the Witch formula comes with more confidence this time out with singer Rachel Davies amping up her drama-spiked vocals as her bandmates embrace bigger cleaner sharper production values via layered guitar-scapes and hazy electronics.
It’s not a bad move for the band with tracks like “Slow Wave” and “Deathwaltz” benefiting greatly from some added sonic muscle but it’s hardly an album of surprises. Still if you’re looking to darken your day Wash the Sins Not Only the Face will do the trick.
