The contrast between King Krule’s voice and what’s going on behind it is what makes his sound one of 2013’s most unique.
His snarling, sharp-tongued lyrical delivery could be from any angry 1980s British punk band, even if his voice has more depth and drifts more stylistically than that. This is at odds with the down-tempo blues that provides the platform for Krule’s vocals.
His immaculate band, comprising just a rhythm guitarist, bass and drummer, play a brand of music more commonly associated with the bitter American blues of Tom Waits. This is more apparent than when listening to the debut album – Six Feet Below The Moon – that the set was composed of.
Recognising the talented musicians he’s found to play his compositions, Krule allows them to jam within his songs to great effect. It adds another element to his music that was less apparent on the record.
Krule’s material can drift and over the course of an hour there is a lack of variety to his music, the peculiar wails of Krule’s vocals fusing tracks together unintentionally.
It is not an entirely spellbinding show but it’s undoubtedly good. How he develops his distinctive style will be the defining narrative of his next few years.
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