- The irrepressible Andy Falkous has risen once more as Future Of The Left. Not something that should surprise you if you’re the least bit familiar with the Welshman’s work. Not something that should surprise you given the continued proliferation of stupidity and acquiescence in the face of unhealthy practices, unhelpful politicians and uninspiring cultures. All of which have remained largely uninterrupted since Future Of The Left gave us How To Stop Your Brain In An Accident back in 2013. As a title for their latest release The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left is somewhat misleading in that there are still a great many things to be royally pissed off about.

With all that is wrong with the world, it’s becoming very apparent that Future Of The Left are quite like Cyclops from Marvel’s X-men - A righteous figure with an almost unruly power. Just like a coordinated X-men offensive where Cyclops is utilised discerningly, allowing him to make some choice shots with the aid of his funky eye-wear, the raucous trio are capable of firing searing shots of soundwaves that, coupled with Falkous’ acerbic lyrics, can meld form and function together with such a glaring focus that you laugh, cry and shit your pants with anger as the group dismantle pointed subjects.

BUT, there are also those moments where, for just an instant in chaos, Cyclops will have his eyewear knocked from his chiselled head releasing that unmitigated beam of energy reducing all and sundry to the indeterminate rubble of collateral damage. Just as Future Of The Left will flay you and others in close proximity with serrated cymbals, churning bass and Falkous screaming and spitting obtuse beams of rant.

And, where this gives way to a profound respect for the comrades of Future Of The Left (and by extension the X-men) is that you get the coordination and the chaos in almost every song. Future of the Left are a frenetic, episodic adventure. The Peace and Truce Of Future Of The Left is what happens between their songs, those two to three seconds are your ceasefire before the exacting hits on perpetrators and maelstroms of mutant energy are unleashed again.

- Nick Rodwell.