The undercurrent of Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan’s first album, Ballad of the Broken Seas, is an overcurrent on the follow-up. “Come on over, turn me on,” they sing (on the song of the same name), the captivating contrast between her barely-there voice and his speaker-filling grungy growl more marked than ever. On Shotgun Blues, she is purring “Love to hear you moan”, and I don’t think she means she enjoys hearing Lanegan’s views on irritating ring tones. It’s a relief when the “Get a room! Oh, you have” ambience lets up for some alt-country strum-alongs; yet, even when Lanegan switches to his ballad voice, the chemistry between the two is riveting. Throughout, Campbell’s songs are simple, direct, gorgeous. If, after the brilliant Ballad, you had said that this pair would reunite and make an even better album, I wouldn’t have believed you – but I think they just have.

V2 VVR1050622

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