In the protracted absence of Brighton trio Fear of Men, we’ve had to bide our time, tided over only by teasing Instagram snaps and snippets of ephemeral sound. Now, however, we’ve been given a vivid, auricular insight into sophomore full-length, Fall Forever; and, as is to be expected of Jessica Weiss & Co., Island is another thoroughly immersive listen. Layering Daniel Falvey’s trademarkedly gaunt, taut guitar lines atop Michael Miles’ woebegone, gritty rhythmic clattering, it’s a quintessential Fear of Men track: elegiac, crestfallen, and irrevocably compelling. Yet whereas an indwelling ethereality defined and dominated the formidable Loom, haunting its every one of thirty-nine waking minutes, productionally speaking, Island sounds bigger, bolder and, above all, more impactful, lullabying vocals concerning not necromania, but independence and self-empowerment buoyed by bitty cymbals and forbidding backing vocals. “I’m like an island without a shore” Weiss laments in the opening moments, although on such persuasive evidence as this, you can already be sure you’ll fall for Fall Forever hard, fast and helplessly…
Fall Forever will be available from June 3rd via Kanine Records, while Fear of Men headline The Victoria on April 8th.