THE WORLD IS GONE

"Baroque folk over mangled grime doesn't quite translate into debut album gold here, though. All the de rigueur sonic trimmings in the world can't hide the fact that Various occasionally recall the sort of sub-Portishead trip-hoppers who clogged-up the mid-90s with studied melancholy and undercooked melodies. Lows such as the joyless industro-grind of Soho are just about outnumbered, however, by highs such as the effervescent Sir and the gnarly Hater."