O. Children - Apnea (First Impressions)

For better or for worse, goth music and aesthetics have come a long way since the influential movement of the 80s. The downside to all of this is the gross, Manson-esque caricaturisation of what once started out as a more refined and comparatively eloquent style of music and dress. Joy Division, Siouxsie & the Banshees and The Cure were some of the first, and O. Children continue in this dark but tastefully melodic, post-punk vein. On second album, Apnea, the band revisit the melancholic meanderings of their first with the addition of more lush melodies and an impressive, new-found versatility.

There has always been a certain welcome authenticity to frontman Tobi O'Kandi's bass-baritone delivery; this is the booming sound of a 6-foot-something giant who is every part the menacing presence his vocals might suggest. While the Ian Curtis's and Nick Cave's of the day may also have favoured the deeper, richer tones in their respective bodies of work, O'Kandi opens his mouth in conversation and we immediately understand that his way of singing is not merely a stylistic choice.

Colourful riffs dance beautifully in front of Disintegration-era Cure bass and synths on tracks 'Red Like Fire' and the stunning single 'Chimera', but the band also succeed at crossing over into lighter territory on pop-rock romp, 'PT Cruiser' and 'Yours For You', which would not sound out of place on either of The Horrors' last two albums. While O. Children's self-titled debut was a curious - if not unidimensional - record which showed great promise, the band have truly made strides with Apnea and set a lofty benchmark for future releases in the process.