Johnny Flynn – Been Listening

Much like its predecessor, A Larum, Johnny Flynn’s sophomore album treads a fine line between rustic pomposity and gritty inventiveness. Reinforced by his band The Sussex Wit, Flynn’s arrangements are imaginative and thrilling with musical influences from all over the globe, though somewhat unsurprisingly steeped in British folk and Americana.

The depth of Flynn’s intelligence unfurls time and time again. From the Caribbean zeal of Kentucky Pill, the theatrical rush of Sweet William Part 2, the finger-plucked brilliance of Lost and Found, and the string-driven beat-pop of Barnacled Warship. Lines like “Think I’ll fight a war, don’t know what for, but I’ll learn when I’ve got my gun,” find particular resonance on the latter.

Transcending his folk revivalist contemporaries with sheer narrative brilliance, Flynn’s versatile voice is always hearty and expressive, and the songs – melodic, varied, and rich – never fail to charm. The quality, scope and unbridled talent on this record should see the troubadour appeal to far more than folk aficionados alone. [Al Souter]