Smart FleshBella Union ****

They may no longer be underdogs, but that doesn't mean The Low Anthem have gotten cocky. Their fourth album, recorded in the cavernous surrounds of an abandoned factory, doesn't take many risks but has everything that made its career-making predecessor so acclaimed. Ben Knox Miller's vocal is still remarkable, whether leading the sublime multi-part harmony of Ghost Woman Blues, coming across all Dylan-like on the rousing Boeing 737, or trailing the frail folk shimmer of these various tales of love and death. It's the little character-shading details that gently protrude, such as the intake of breath on woodwind-based instrumental Wireor the hiss of the microphone on the hypnotic Matter of Time. Imperfect? Certainly. But these are songs that brim with heart and nourishment, nonetheless. See lowanthem.com

Download tracks: Boeing 737, Ghost Woman Blues