Subtle, simmering 'new acoustic' debutThese gentle, vaguely retro acoustic stylings from British songwriting duo Hudson and McDevitt exude real charm, evoking melancholy memories, tempered optimism and warm pints in cold country pubs. Reference points include a less tortured Turin Brakes or less populist David Gray, though ticking clocks, babies' cries and the mesmerising "For You" will have you digging out your crusty copy of Floyd's Wish You Were Here. Bursts of energetic violin from Chris Goddard give it an extra edge. Pastoral peaks.
Hailing from the same US stable as The Mendoza Line, the Austin, Texas quartet Shearwater embrace a drowsier strain of melancholy on their second LP—all shuffling shades of piano, picked guitar and stings. Producer Brian (Daniel Johnston) Beattie filters just enough light to ward off any impending claustrophobia, while the contrast between ardent ornithology student Jonathan Meiburg's falsetto and Okkervil River moonlighter Will Robinson Sheff's upbeat crackle adds a subtle duality.
