Poliça: United Crushers review – bubbling beats but little mystique

Poliça’s first two albums of electronic soul updated trip-hop for a post-Weeknd world, endearing the group to Jay Z and Bon Iver, who labelled them “the best band I’ve ever heard”. The Minneapolis quintet’s third set is their most straightforward yet, chiefly because, in contrast to its predecessors, Channy Leaneagh’s vocals aren’t bathed in effects. As a result, Poliça have lost some of their mystique, perfectly listenable though most of the songs are. The highlight, Wedding, staples bubbling beats to lyrics that imply they’re a modern protest band (“Leaders, we have none”). But ultimately, like a hipper London Grammar, Poliça are too dreamy and refined for their own good.