Black Bordello return with ‘Fugue’, the first glimpse of forthcoming EP Midheaven Tempest, and it’s a thrillingly theatrical statement that feels unlike almost anything else around at the moment. Blending art rock, psychedelic flourishes and vintage grandeur, the South East London outfit continue to carve out a world entirely of their own.

The song’s mesmerising Hammond organ introduction immediately commands attention, conjuring an air of mystery that recalls the psychedelic spirit of Kula Shaker before unfolding into something far more dramatic and theatrical. Sienna Bordello’s distinctive vocal carries the song through a series of unpredictable tempo shifts, her haunting delivery grounding each twist and turn as ‘Fugue’ constantly refuses to settle in one place for long.

That sense of unpredictability is part of the song’s charm. The carnival atmosphere hinted at in the opening grows increasingly woozy as ‘Fugue’ unfolds, culminating in delightfully unhinged vocal refrains that leave the listener feeling both disorientated and completely captivated. As Sienna Bordello explains, “‘Fugue’ is a joyful stab into the cardboard cutouts on the set of society’s stage. It’s our gift to music nerds, inspired by Bach.” Bold, eccentric and endlessly inventive, it’s a captivating introduction to the richly cinematic world of Midheaven Tempest.