Carter USM: ‘The Young Offender’s Mum’ (Chrysalis)

Carter’s effervescent indie-pop sound often obscures very dark subject matter. This EP offers four tracks recorded live in Zagreb, Croatia: the title track was apparently inspired by a kicking Jimbob got from a Millwall fan, although I’m fucked if I can make out a word he’s saying. ‘Rubbish’ has a fierce north-brit power akin to early Fall, and ‘Suicide Isn’t Painless’, for Kurt, is short, simple and poignant. “Suicide Isn’t Painless/It hurts like hell.” Remember that.