Label: Specialist Subject
Released: 28th October 2022
Four albums and several singles deep, Martha are, by now, venerated institutions of the UK indie scene.
In many ways, ‘Please Don’t Take Me Back’ veers little from the tried and trusted – the harmonies bang, the wry, observational lyrics are as sharp as ever, and the songs are packed with immediacy and purpose – so far so Martha, then. But there’s also a sense that the Durham quartet aren’t content to rehash old ground.
Indeed, Martha revel in grey areas and ambiguity, mixing the personal and political to great effect. It means they continue to raise the bar, and ‘Please Don’t Take Me Back’ extends their long-running winning streak. ■ Rob Mair
5/5
Total Score