Mush are a well-oiled machine on a robust second outing

Executing jutting, angular antics with a cutting exactitude akin to luminaries such as Wire and XTC, the Leeds-hailing trio have, over the past twelve-months, eschewed stasis in favour of creative resourcefulness, culminating in two EP releases as well as the material underpinning this second full-length record. The death of founding member Steven Tyson would, however, tragically close out such a prolific year for the band, the late guitarist’s technical virtuosity bolstering the appeal behind debut 3D Routine. Similarly graced with his talent, Lines Redacted holds a mirror up to the prevailing socio-political landscape; satirically primed in tackling the defining mistruths and propaganda of the age via Mush’s signature choppiness.

Attempting to out-manoeuvre the looping vocal gymnastics of previous efforts, Dan Hyndman’s writhingly fluid voice is amped up further, channelling a parade of characters and narratives through his warbling holler. In its febrile instinct, the band are at their most nimble in terms of pace, full-throttle acts of controlled hyperactivity applied with clinical precision. Such is the case with “Blunt Instrument”, which presents an overriding sense of each element of the outfit in agile coordination, a mesh delicately holding the track together; chemistry also readily identifiable on “Seven Trumpets”, in its winding flex between frantic and reclining rhythms. A fresh dynamism is in evidence from the frenetic first seconds of “Drink The Bleach”, slaloming scope in-part recalling Public Image Ltd.; a range that continues with a Meat Puppets-indebted title-track and the grunge-fibred extent of “Hazmat Suits”.

Lines Redacted, in some sense, finds Mush at their most varied yet, offsetting the drawbacks of its extended length with a newfound openness and volatility. Like a well-oiled machine, the band’s constituent parts interlock with each other in punctual dexterity; supple musicianship that stands out more than ever on this robust sophomore affair.