With throbbing keyboards and rumbling drums, Cave’s fourteenth album comes straight out of an underworld road movie. Sonically, it harks back to the early Stooges-style noise of The Birthday Party. Lyrically though, the misfits, lost souls and ruin are classic Cave staples.

Title track 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!' sees golden seducer Larry (AKA Lazarus) traversing America, his misadventures culminating in prison, "...the madhouse, then the grave..." But just at the moment you might feel sympathy, Cave delivers the line, "Oh, poor Larry!" with such nonchalance that you can't help but laugh. In this world, even the deepest darkness has its own secret kernel of comedy.

‘Night Of The Lotus Eaters’ is hypnotic and compelling. Guitars mimic the sitar’s drone, whilst a warning refrain of "get ready to shoot yourself" is delivered gently, floating over a pared-back psychedelic soundscape. However, it is 'Jesus Of The Moon' that’s the real stand-out track. The protagonist walks out into rain-lashed streets, leaving his woman curled up on the hotel bed "like a child". It’s a powerfully evocative image, and the lyric "you came on like a punch in the heart" is such a perfect example of Cave’s sublime way with words that you find yourself folding up inside his fevered imagination. 

It’s a far cry from the more melodic or contemplative Cave of 'The Ship Song', and maybe this won’t be the album that recruits new followers...but for devotees, DIG… provides another wild, apocalyptic ride. (Angeline Morrison)