The debut album from this Liverpool singer/songwriter features twelve murder-ballad tales that are dripping in gothic stylings. From ‘The Mermaid & The Sailor’ – which has a distinct Nick Cave/Kylie vibe (Ed Harcourt, who also produced the album, taking the Cave role) – to the noir-Americana of ‘Dead Man On The G Train’ this is release that is subsumed in a vale of shadows. Shades of PJ Harvey, too, which I’m certainly not complaining about. RM

Released 19 May on Xtra Mile Recordings