Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar

Rating:

Young Fathers remain a dangerous and hungry proposition.

One of Britain’s most intriguing bands, it’s pretty difficult to pigeonhole Young Fathers. Previous records have seen them play with distorted disco (‘Get Up’), pacey art rock (‘Shame’) and wonky afropunk (‘Old Rock N Roll’) to bold effect, winning them a Mercury Prize along the way.

If there is one thing that ties their work together, it is that there is always darkness lurking in their stylish shadows. It’s a trick that hits real fruition on this, their third record. ‘Lord’ sees gentle lullaby melodies punctured by startling ripples of feedback, whereas ‘In my View’ carries a hefty dose of nostalgia to early 00s RnB, taking a step back from the political edge of their previous work in the name of self-preservation; “I know my resting beat / I'm no longer vicious… I wanna be King until I am.”

Despite an air of concession, Young Fathers remain a dangerous and hungry proposition. The perfect meeting point between 808s-era-Kanye production value and humble, anglo-centric vocals, they deliver every track with an urgency that forces you to listen. The result? ‘Cocoa Sugar’ is a highly intoxicating blend. Jenessa Williams