Lone Wolf - The Lovers

Having left the Bella Union stable, Paul Marshall goes his own way with this stirring collection of boldly arranged, electronically-aided songs, baring the hallmarks of a Talk Talk obsession and a fondness  for the organised chaos of Wild  Beasts' hiccupping rhythms. With an achingly emotive voice, Marshall sounds like a man at ease with his music, if not the world. Stand-out track 'Two Good Lives' typifies the great ambition and meticulous craft present and will make you sob like a recently dumped fresher. The spaces in-between are almost as important as the notes themselves on a headphone album with which to brave the winter. 8/10 Words by GARETH JAMES