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Hitherto consigned to the underground experimental scene, Blueneck have been brewing something bigger (for this, their fourth LP) since 2011. Steven Wilson cover artist Lasse Hoile has provided the imagery, while Boards Of Canada-esque sophistication and something in the tunes themselves just indicates a band reaching a higher plain.

More than ever, it’s telling that Blueneck’s work has featured on independent film soundtracks. The textured, cinematic scope of King Nine rises and falls with moody intent and an eerie underlying tension. Intriguing beats sit comfortably alongside organic melodies and guitar work in the likes of Man Of Lies.

Duncan Attwood’s vocals are at once unnerving, pretty and tragic, soaring through themes of loss and isolation. Bleak introspection may lose your focus in places, but at its peak the effect here is quite captivating. Counting Out, for instance, is sublime; both uplifting and terribly sad. Haunting, rich and original./o:p

Polly is deputy editor at Classic Rock magazine, where she writes and commissions regular pieces and longer reads (including new band coverage), and has interviewed rock's biggest and newest names. She also contributes to Louder, Prog and Metal Hammer and talks about songs on the 20 Minute Club podcast. Elsewhere she's had work published in The Musician, delicious. magazine and others, and written biographies for various album campaigns. In a previous life as a women's magazine junior she interviewed Tracey Emin and Lily James – and wangled Rival Sons into the arts pages. In her spare time she writes fiction and cooks.