Duke Garwood – Heavy Love

Album number six from the Brit soul man resolves a backstory nigh on three decades in the making. After working solo and collaboratively – his contacts list boasts entries in the name of Vile, Lanegan and Tinariwen – for most his career, here he serves notice of a vision coming into ever sharper focus.

A bruised catalogue of trouble man meanderings, Heavy Love is soulful, eloquent and deeply affecting. His aim is true on every level: the voice, a soft, near-spoken whisper; his detailed guitar playing (note the exquisitely tender solo on Disco Lights); pinpoint narratives that tremble with hurt. “Over the hill we came, seeking solitude / We could not know this town was so cruel” sets the heartrending scene for Sweet Wine. When he sings “Oh, it's two for one in hell,” this grizzled troubadour is suddenly visionary preacher, and Heavy Love becomes an experience at once draining and sanctifying. Have faith: this is Garwood's time.