North-east band Quarterlight are fronted by Gary Chaplin, who local aficionados will know as he’s a founder member of local punk heroes Penetration. And he – and the fluid collective of musicians who make up the rest of the band – are on sterling form here. ‘Head Buried in the Clouds’ features a hook-filled collection of songs that take in everything from the Bowie-like ‘Jack Brass’ (Hunky Dory era Bowie) to skinny-tie new wave (‘World Of Ideas’) to Billy Bragg-like pop (‘Changed Forever’). Absolutely magnificent! GM

Out now, self release