A sublime contemporary folk debut by the high-voiced Scottish singer-songwriter from Dunfermline, Fife, who exudes a fragile vulnerability, has warm musical echoes of Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley, finger-picking acoustic guitar, the gentle brush of drums and subtle, emotionally nuanced, poetic lyrics. The title is defined as the state of intense romantic longing for someone who often does not reciprocate, and can become an infatuation that overlooks any flaws or, indeed, turns those flaws into an attractive trait. Produced with a delicate touch by Dan Carey, who more often works with innovative postpunk bands, this is a gorgeous piece of work, filled with wonderful melodies and chord sequences. Unlike many albums that load the best songs at the front, this is one that sustains high quality throughout, beginning gently with the finger-picking and whispered voices of intro track Glimmer, before Of Amber. It is on former Song of the Day Don’t Fall Asleep that there are soaring echoes with Buckley’s voice. Of the many peaks and highlights - the delicious waltz-time limerence-nostalgic Confession, Elijah, Liquid Gold 25, August Moon and another early spot for us with a Song of the Day - Fairy In A Bottle - are all sparkling, precious, delicate musical gems. There’s also a very personal instrumental in the form of Home Tapes, dotted with childhood recordings of as a child in snatches of conversation with his mother. A special talent who only really emerged at the end of last year, and seems set for huge, if rather shy stardom. Out on Island Records.
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