Sun Kil Moon, Southbank Centre

Sun Kil Moon started life as a quartet, but since 2010 it’s largely served as a recording name for singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek. Even from their inception, though, much of what was distinctive about the band was Kozelek’s lyricism and delivery. Their debut album Ghost of the Great Highway is a work of unmistakable quality, and a worthy addition to the American folk canon; it is tasteful, expansive and at points beautiful, but what makes it truly unique is Kozelek’s way with words.
Kozelek’s skill as a lyricist, and indeed as a singer, is to balance nostalgia and depth of feeling with prosaic clarity; the listener is his confidante as he tells tales of heartache and addiction that are both haunting and a little mystical. 
On last year's album Benji, and this year's Universal Themes Kozelek has perfected his art. Even though he has a distinctive style, seldom do Sun Kil Moon's tracks repetitive. Kozelek is skilled in capturing the variety and nuance of human life; the characters that populate his songs are drawn with detail and sympathy.