Cave has rightly earned the title of ‘most productive musician’ following last year’s studio and two film soundtrack album releases. And for Cave, quality has not been sacrificed for quantity. All three albums met with universal acclaim, and rightly so. With critical success comes an aggressive confidence that screams out from the tracks of this new album. Cave’s dark musical side has always fascinated me and can arguably be interpreted as self-flagellation for his own misjudgements, broken love affairs and other misfortunes. But it’s his acute powers of observation and thought that both feature heavily on DIG, LAZARUS, DIG.

The title track is a prime example where Cave doesn’t ask for answers but demands in the most funky rock fashion. It’s also the first single off the album and has the power to sweep you up in its wake with its submerged melody; rampant, expansive vocal and instrumentation; it is bright red beans without the tin, dripping onto the floor over the table’s edge, trodden bloody under foot. It’s deeply rhythmic, and dripping wildly with descriptive narrative. ‘Today’s Lesson’ sustains the album’s strong rhythmic foundation, while momentarily revealing a more disciplined musical vibe complete with blood-curdling guitar licks and wandering Hammond notes. ‘Moonland’ is a deathly crawl with Cave almost talking his lines, against a backdrop of claustrophobic percussion and screeching guitar riffs. It’s a thoughtful musical narrative with an ambience you could cut with a knife. ‘Night Of The Lotus Eaters’ has the most threatening, relentless sonic ambience that is adventurous, cinematic and effective. An arena–filling guitar rush welcomes in ‘Albert Goes West – NEW EQ’ and I can’t wait to see this explosion live on stage. The great tracks keep coming with my highlight arriving with the contemplative biblical vibe of ‘Hold On To Yourself.’ Need a musical wake-up call? Well you’ve now got it with one of Cave’s best efforts to-date. But be warned, this is not a record for the faint-hearted or those of a nervous disposition, or those unquestioning souls amongst you!

4/5