Album: Jackie Oates, Hyperboreans (Unearthed)

Length-and-line English pop-folk, well-chosen songs, nicely executed and pretty as some spring mornings.

Oates' brother Jim Moray produces and brings to the project its pop sophistication (dig those "rim-shots") but there are other forces lending pungency. Alasdair Roberts is prime among them. The title track is his, and his guitar and voice are anchored into a couple of songs like lichen. Kate Rusby fans will be intrigued. Oates' voice is similarly light, if not quite so effortlessly musical. No harm done, though.