As The Seeds, The Vessels, The Roots And All’s opening track It’s Darker kicks things off, there’s a sense of familiarity to the jerky riffs and pulsing bassline. Luminaries like the Pixies and Sonic Youth have loomed large over the broad church that is alternative rock for decades now. The sonic components on display here are not startlingly original, but there’s an art to assembling them into something distinctive and special. That’s all Kurt Cobain did, after all, and it’s something New Pagans also manage on this exceptional debut. There’s a sense of tautness to the songs even when they’re coated in lush melodies – and there are plenty of those. Everything is in its place and there’s no waste, whether they’re channelling those alt.rock icons on the spiky Bloody Soil, belt...
