If in his previous singing incarnation, as one of three vocalist in Golden Grrrls his timbre was low and rumbling, with Essen there’s clear annunciation to meet the clarity of the guitar playing. If anything the West of Scotland accenting reminds us a little of someone like Yummy Fur – the slashing, wiry guitar parts help that comparison along – the vocals are interjected into the songs, mildly pissed off, commentating just under the mix on what sounds like, I don’t know, town planning, shipping, personal relationships, architecture… it all colludes to create a slightly warped worldview that’s a heck of fun to live in for the duration. “Blues Partner Delusion” has an almost classic rock chord progression that’s twisted just enough to sound like it’s Television or one of the pre-punks gently simmering their music. Joy has a lurching rhythm and criss-crossing guitars that again recall Tom Verlaine while All Too Much has wondering, treble-boosted guitars and angular rhythms that remind us a little bit of Kleenex / Liliput actually. Side A ends with a strangled instrumental that questions rather than answers.