For their second album I Break Horses appear to have become more assertive, the Swedish duo revealing ‘Chiaroscuro’ as an album of grace and power. The shoegaze influences are still there but the beats are noticeably tougher, the vocals colder and the production sharper at the bottom end – a bit more towards the music of GusGus or ‘Black Cherry’-era Goldfrapp. ‘Faith’ shows off all of these new qualities, upping the pace but still keeping its poise, slightly monotone but with a glacial cool. ‘Berceuse’ is also powerful, with a hard hitting bass drum that supports seemingly timeless synth sounds, while ‘Medicin Brush’ is magnificently moody, beautifully constructed and with a killer hook. Even that comes a close second to the opening track ‘Burn’, which crackles with atmosphere and even now is already one of the finest things I will hear all year. Their debut ‘Hearts’ was excellent but this is another step up, an album that packs a bigger emotional punch and should stay with you for a long time.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
