Shimmer Gold

The second release from Estonian trio Trad.Attack! picks up where their debut left off. ‘Talgo’ opens ferociously with a pounding bass drum, catchy guitar riff and a propulsive motif on the Jew's harp – it's highly characteristic of their sound. For those unfamiliar with the ensemble, they bring to life traditional Estonian poems and songs with contemporary instrumentation and modern flair. It's an inventive album, and inspiration is drawn from incantations to ward off wolves, to trees with golden leaves. At times the forays into mainstream rock territory can become overbearing, with ‘Kallimale’ sharing a great deal in common with the Foo Fighters in terms of its harmony and guitar work, while ‘Kabala’ falls flat. However, it's a largely enjoyable record.

Highlights include the serene ‘Säde’, with its soaring whistle work, crystal-like chimes and sensitive percussion. Album closer ‘Kullarkarva’, too, is a real standout moment. An 11-minute epic based upon a 19th-century folkloric text from the town of Põltsamaa, it's a deeply brooding piece that builds through eerie synths and whispering voices towards a magical conclusion only to disappear once again into a mystical soundscape: paced beautifully, it makes a resounding finish.