The Antlers are a three-piece indie rock band from New York, Burst Apart is their fourth album.

Our verdict:

The Antlers’ previous album - 2009’s Hospice - gained a lot of underground acclaim and a cult following without ever really bothering the mainstream media. Then again, for all of its beautiful moments, Hospice was a concept album about a health worker falling in love with a terminally ill patient - which we guess could be a tough sell to the daytime radio playlist crowd.

For this follow-up the band - a trio focussed around vocalist and songwriter Peter Silberman - have got ever-so-slightly fuller sounding and ever-so-slightly less downbeat. That’s not to say Burst Apart is a happy record (song titles include Putting The Dog To Sleep and Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out), but it’s all-round tighter and more approachable.

So why are we harking on about such a depressing sounding bunch of naysayers anyway? Well, because essentially Burst Apart is an absolutely excellent indie rock record. For all their downbeat themes The Antlers’ music - particularly the often minimal guitar work - is warm, melodic and flawlessly executed. Silberman’s voice is strong and engaging throughout, meaning that even his more miserable lyrical moments connect with the listener. Highly recommended on all counts.

The Antlers - I Don't Want Love