Cursive - Devourer

While Cursive's output has been uniformly high for close to three decades, they're certainly experiencing something of a creative renaissance since 2018's 'Vitriola'. 'Devourer' continues the trend, mixing their high-concept ideas with their trademark abrasive indie-rock.

This time, apocalyptic visions are mixed with ruminations on the making of and consumption of art in a capitalist world.

By his own admission, lyricist Tim Kasher is a devourer of art and culture, but this means such ideas are rich pickings for exploration on a record. As such, it means 'Devourer' is a knotty, visceral listen, with Kasher's lens turned inwards as much as it is outwards.

It also makes for a frequently meta listen, with Kasher critiquing his own approach to art, especially on the brilliant 'Imposturing', which serves as a response to their 'Art is Hard' breakout, nicely deconstructed for the streaming age.

Now a seven-piece, 'Devourer' also sounds incredible. At times, it's like 'Cursive' are a lounge band living their finest jazz days, at others - like on the cello-led 'Consumers' and 'Rookie' - that they're the most vital post-hardcore survivalists still fighting and railing against the system.