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The River are a somewhat mysterious UK band who have been toiling in the underground for more than two decades, but remain largely unknown. Part of that is probably because this is not the kind of music that people get loudly pumped-up over. This is very melancholic, very British, very introspective music that is great without really being the kind of thing that can casually grab you—you have to actually sit down and listen to it.

Vaguely of the school of Doom bands with female singers like Jex Thoth or Rituals of the Oak, The River play very slow, gloomy music set off by the vocals of Jenny Newton. This is her first recording with the band, as she replaced longtime singer Vicky Walters just a few years ago. Newton has a voice that is not operatic or really dark, instead she sounds a lot like a folk singer, and her smooth style makes for a good combination with the music. This is a long, slow, moody album that will really draw you in if you are in the mood for it.