The Cave Singers have completed their follow up record, with all the distinctiveness and beauty of debut ‘Invitation Songs’, but with extra kick and influences.

The Cave Singers’ first album ‘Invitation Songs’ was released early 2008 to hearty plays from the likes of Radio 1’s Zane Lowe and a warm flurry of critical acclaim. NME declared it a “post-folk masterpiece of a debut”, a fitting though rather unexpected description for a Seattle act formed from the ashes of three disbanded hardcore / post-punk bands (Quirk from Hint, Hint, Lund from Cobra High and Fudesco from Pretty Girls Make Graves and before that Murder City High). Perhaps it explains the energy and edge that soars through even their prettiest of folk-laced songs

‘Welcome Joy’ is a gorgeous, rich folky stew hitting musical touchstones from ‘Led Zeppelin III’ (think ‘Bron Yr Aur Stomp’) to Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, and Will Oldham, with a healthy dollop of the more mournful Stevie Nicks songs from Fleetwood Mac’s mid-’70s period.

Produced by Colin Stewart (Black Mountain, Destroyer, Ladyhawk), the album is far richer and more interesting sounding than their debut. The band performs their dramatic, forlorn and occasionally triumphant music in a wonderfully autumnal haze.