Blueboy - The Bank Of England (2024 Repress) Blueboy

Blueboy's third and final album features a change in line-up from their Sarah Records days, with Cath Close joining on vocals, James Neville on bass and Ian Gardner on drums. Still at the band's heart, however, are singer Keith Girdler and guitarist Paul Stewart, with single Love Yourself – released a couple of years prior to the album, and described by Paul as "a huge glossy lament with multiple layers of keyboards and guitar" – featuring just the duo, along with Keris Howard from former Sarah act Brighter on keyboards. With the addition of the three new members, Blueboy's sound became more confident, forceful and less fragile, Paul's guitars often taking on a Britpop snarl and Keith's lyrics, although maybe less rawly personal than in the past, weaving imagery both beautiful and unsettling around heartfelt storytelling. The album also has its quieter moments, as you would expect: but although, at first listen, Chadwick's acoustic jazziness wouldn't sound too out of place on If Wishes Were Horses (the band's debut), Disco Bunny's pretty, picked guitar figures underlie a haunting and disquieting vocal. Cath takes lead on that track, as she does on several others, including gorgeous, languid opener Joined-up Writing.