Album Review: Strange Creatures by Drenge

The Loveless Brothers' latest is like a trip through a dark, weird, small town where outsiders stick out like sore thumbs. It's a daring record that bristles with ideas Drenge have always had a sense of the dark about them ever since they came careening into view in a flood of sludgy riffs and acerbic lyrics back in 2012. Now on their third album, the Loveless brothers (singer and guitarist Eoin and drummer Rory) are revelling in noirish drama and nocturnal sounds.

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Drenge evolved into a three-piece on second album, 'Undertow' - a well-executed adjustment, adding bassist Rob Graham to the lineup. Since then, the band have continue to broaden their horizons with each release - from that 2015 second effort to 2018's 'Autonomy' EP - blossoming into a cohesive and well- rounded creative statement. Indeed, many of 'Autonomy''s key characteristics can be found on 'Strange Creatures': archetypal riff-rock buffoonery, volatile guitar/drum interplay, Eoin Loveless' increasingly bizarre vocal presence.

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This new album from Eoin and Rory Loveless shares a vital undercurrent with their previous records: escapism. Drenge are from the small Peak District town of Castleton, and their music expresses the frustration of monotonous country life, trapped by their postcard surroundings with plenty to see but nothing to do. Strange Creatures is like a midnight car race through country lanes at ungodly speeds away from the law or some unknown force - with the anticipation that something is lurking in the shadows ready to pounce.

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