Melancholic, poignant and witty, Absentee's debut mini album offers a peepshow view of their world. Equal parts humorous, tragic, dour and dirty, "Donkey Stock" is a rich, confident debut. While Dan Michealson's distinctive drawl tells tales of love gone sour and awkward sex, the band lilt and lunge with genuine passion. For reference think Smog at their most tuneful or Leonard Cohen on happy pills backed by The Velvet Underground.