Music

His absence has been noted. But now, having undergone certain revolutions and
re-emerged with his band of ‘birds teetering in the wings, Lupen Crook is certainly one of the most enchanting and disorientating artists of today.

The title track from new EP Matthew’s Magpie opens to the brittle rhythm of the man from Medway’s acoustic 8-string and is soon joined by his distinctive, uncomfortable vocal telling a tale of paranoia and the crisis of identity with painful sincerity.

Careering from aching beauty to staggering viciousness in a heartbeat, the 25-year-old of wiry frame and gypsy rag sensibilities spits out a rag-tag sonic assault. Lupen Crook is the soundtrack to the dark side of life and The Murderbirds will leave the likes of Pigeon Detectives in a flap.