Cherry Ghost
‘This Burning Shoreline’
(Heavenly)

On first listen, the follow-up to ‘Thirst For Romance’ could easily pass you by, its warmth and soulful glow seems to lull, prodding you gently but never really clamping your attention. On second listen, the hugely uplifting ‘Kissing Strangers’ or the dustbowl rumbling of ‘We Sleep On Stones’ will send your eyes drifting outside with a far-away glaze. Third time around, bursts of stirring, morose lyricisms, psychedelic swirls and soaring orchestration reveal themselves, far away from its initial soporific leanings. Eventually, ‘Beneath This Burning Shoreline’ evolves into an expansive, gentle and beguiling lullaby. It’s safe to say that the Ivor Novello award-winning Cherry Ghost, aided by Dan Austin (Doves, Massive Attack), has nailed the art of making ‘a grower’. For those of you with patience, this is an enrapturing listen.

Harriet Gibsone