Walls @ Shacklewell Arms, London

There are, on average, very few bands with critically acclaimed debuts who, by the time their second album is enduring its first hangover, are only just gracing a stage to headline. Sam Willis and Alessio Natalizia just haven’t managed to get it together. That is, to add, in their guise as Walls.

Not exactly amateurs, the duo of Allez-Allez and Banjo or Freakout members get off to an understandably shuddering start as the cables are greased and the realization comes that they're playing in a chimney breast; albeit like geekier, more slender Father Christmas figures. Yet the dimensions of the Shacklewell Arms suit the evolving guiding arm of Walls’ vision – a beat that binds and vocals from Natalizia that in their distorted way add layers beneath, rather than surfacing.

Making the kind of slanted house music even non-house fans can get behind, for ‘In Our Midst’ the sound of knarled, strangled bassoons pervades even the smoothest moments. There’s a genuine feel of experimentation to the set, that of a foley artist in full flow, even if that is quelled by the fact that it’s contrived on less-imprecise APCs.

‘Burnt Sienna’ comes out of the ether and flattens all the ‘Hang Four’ beats that preceded it (and forced joy into these confines), with its dying whale noise drone and ear accelerating bass. The condensed noise that exudes is crisply woven into stream of consciousness musical landscapes – one that defies the oddities to develop a repetition, regularity and pulse.

Bringing together a mixture of both albums brings a new aural exploration. And as Willis neatly sums up before the closer: “This is the beginning of the adventure”. As for the future, tomorrow sees them venturing across land and sea to support titans Battles. From humble beginnings, eh?