First, Nick Cave material to be recorded after the death of his fifteen years old son Arthur (though most of the lyrics were actually written before the incident). This is, as would be expected a down tempo and deeply maudlin record that that is heavy on the emotional and bleak subject matter. However it is not as dark as you would expect. Yes, it has passages that are disturbing and desolate but there is actually a lot of light and dare i say it, positivity on offer. What is left of it though is scaled back and stripped down to the bare bone.

Usually the Bad seeds provide layers and layers of textured sound. Here the instrumentation is restricted to a haunting piano, various synthesised sounds and the occasional blast of stirring strings. This minimalism allows Mr Cave’s distinctive baritone vocals to soar. His deep tenor voice displays extraordinary variation in emotion on the album. It is an open book of hurt, lose and desperation. Overall this isn't an easy album to listen and never builds beyond subdued, but it is an utterly fascinating and immersive listen.