Violet Cries Matador***

At first listen, Esben and the Witch might seem like just another indie band. The Brighton trio regimentally follow the blueprint of ghostly, multi-layered shoegaze music previously mapped out by Ride and My Bloody Valentine. Still, parts of their debut suggest a willingness to kick against the old guard. This is a late-night record, swathed in mystical echoes that build to tense cacophonies ( Eumenides), eerie, off-kilter beats and Rachel Davies's vaporous if occasionally overdone vocals. For all their studious moodiness, however, their eagerness to create a disembodied ambience is often at the expense of songs with any sort of bite. There are worse blunders to make on a debut album, but it may be worth waiting to see if and how Esben and the Witch progress in the future. See esbenand thewitch.co.uk

Download tracks: Marching Song, Eumenides