WHAT Are Friends For (noting the title s rhetorical statement, rather than a question, is important here) is just over half an hour of heavily textured post-hardcore experimentalism, seconding melody to a repetitious mix of sharp and blunt, hi-hat and bas

WHAT Are Friends For (noting the title's rhetorical statement, rather than a question, is important here) is just over half an hour of heavily textured post-hardcore experimentalism, seconding melody to a repetitious mix of sharp and blunt, hi-hat and bass, Thomas House topping it all off with a throat-shredding take on singing.

Perhaps helped by recording it all in a church hall in Norwich, WAFF is a tightly-wound ball of tense discomfort and agitation, which should act as an effective toxin to chart-loving pop fiends.

It should be awful, but there is an inner heartbeat to this challenging, messy malevolence that strikes a primal chord. (Un)easy listening. 2/5