This is an artist I was made aware of via one of the many emails I receive, on this occasion to notify me about the release of a single from this album. As soon as I heard it, I knew this would be an artist I would want to review.

The album opens with "Like a Spark". With the bass and guitar, my mind kept flip-flopping between Nick Drake, with the fundamental structure of the song, but also Van Morrison with that more eclectic, loose vibe. Indeed, this is the single that got me all excited to review the album. The vocals I think serve more as an additional instrument rather than a driving force for the song, but together it makes for a fantastic opener.

The next track, "Back of a Truck", has a more orthodox feel and style in its structure, but like the previous track, it’s the production that really lifts this to the next level. There’s just so much happening, but rather than feeling overwhelmed, you just feel yourself riding the wave.

There’s something about "Different Light" that feels somewhat familiar, which I think is mainly down to the lyrics and more specifically the meter of their delivery. There’s another song that’s hanging back in my memory, but I just can’t pull it out for the comparison, and I know it’s going to drive me nuts. That aside, this is a highly enjoyable track that also has a very subtle hint of country.

"Hardy" opens with very orchestral, sweeping strings and within seconds I was hooked. Eventually the vocals come in, and then a thumping drum beat, which makes for an overall different sound to the opener, but it all blends so well and you can’t help but get swept up by it all.

Returning to something a little more laid back, "Forgive Is to Know" builds from another thumping drum and what sounds like a violin sample, or it could be some kind of guitar effect. It’s a slow, deliberate track, and though it’s on the slower side, it carries a nice sense of optimism. I especially like the ethereal vocal sounds that come in and out and provide an additional texture. This is a track that is both simple and complex, and is maybe even more rewarding on headphones.

Again with "To Feel No Way", there’s a familiarity, almost like a nursery rhyme, or a song you might have grown up with. Again though, what starts off as a fairly simple song with piano and drums grows with the production, but it is done in such a way that it doesn’t overwhelm the simplicity of the song, it just envelops it.

For me, the drum beat in "The Road to Death" is very dark and foreboding, which is maybe apt given the title, which casts a shadow over the track itself. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with the track, but it kind of throws a wet sponge on what’s come before it.

The next track, "Come Apart", kind of extends the reach of the prior track, but with the introduction of country-inspired guitar, it manages to lift the track to some degree and throws a little light on the proceedings.

And so we come to the final track, "The Weight", and upon hearing the piano intro, it’s nice that the mood has been somewhat lifted. Indeed, when the chorus comes in, there’s a swell that is like a metaphorical hug and you feel lifted. The addition of world instruments adds a nice cosmopolitan flavour and really elevates the track.

Overall, this is a great album that showcases a strong sense of musicality and production craft, with a sound that draws on familiar influences while shaping them into something distinct and contemporary. Across the record there is a clear focus on atmosphere and texture, with arrangements that often feel rich and layered without becoming cluttered. The result is a collection of songs that are consistently engaging, with standout moments where the production really elevates the material.