The Beat Surrender

I quite often write that I think certain artists or groups are underrated and at the sound of coming over like a stuck record, Stillman is one of THE MOST underrated artists around at the moment and the longer it goes on without him getting the full recognition he deserves is criminal.

I liked his debut EP and following album it just seemed so individual at a time when male singers were all blurring into one. He’s back now with a new album Blood Dark Sea and fore me it pips his first album which I just didn’t think would be possible.

Some moments on this album are absolutely spine-tingling, like the opening epic Chrome, it weighs in at nearly seven minutes and has a dark edge to it all the way though just bubbling under the surface. Runt Of The Litter is another one, it has Elbow like qualities to it, mesmerising vocals mixing with perfect orchestration.

One of the most frustrating aspects of him not being widely known is that in amongst this kaleidoscope of sounds that veer between folk noir and a cool post rock, he also really knows his way around a tune with melody and a track like Distraction would sound heartbreakingly perfect on the radio.

Another fine album from one of our undiscovered greats, don’t be like the masses and miss out on this songwriting genius.