Archy Marshall, aka King Krule, made huge waves with 2017’s beautifully dark The OOZ. After such a universally-loved release, one always wonders – is down the only way to go from here? Thankfully, on Man Alive!, Marshall proves the doubters wrong.

An eclectic album, Man Alive! touches the dark corners of new wave, goth, punk, and – in the case of opener ‘Cellular’ – even krautrock. It’s all held together by Marshall’s signature baritone, made even more haunting thanks to generous reverb. This time, he’s not speaking out about politics, but rather offering acute social observations. Man Alive! presents an interesting series of lyrical vignettes, while providing a compelling sonic journey.

The gritty, punk-tinged ‘Stoned Again’ is a standout, and there’s also a three-song suite – comprised of ‘Theme For The Cross’, ‘Underclass’ and ‘Energy Fleets’ – boasting lighter, jazzier sounds.

Overall, Man Alive! isn’t a casual listen: it’s an immersive piece of art that confirms just how inventive Archy Marshall can be.

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