Description
Much of Mark Lanegan’s 10th solo album was composed with British musician Rob Marshall, the rest with longtime foil Alain Johannes. The results represent a career high, the synths, Krautrock rhythms and flashes of electronica, first introduced on 2012’s Blues Funeral very much to the fore, and perfectly complementing the abrasive guitars and Lanegan’s grizzled baritone. The irresistible Emperor, by contrast, sounds positively jaunty, while the acoustic Goodbye to Beauty is a more sombre delight. A bravura statement from an artist still sounding fresh three decades into his career.
