10:2 Midnight by Nathan J Carpenter

This debut album from Swindon's own Nathan J Carpenter is country in texture, singer/songwriter in substance with gold threads of rock weaved into its fabric.

Waves of electric guitar sweep across the stripped down voice and piano in the opening track, On This Lonely Road, conjuring up front-porch blues with a Nathan twist.

Next up comes Life which has more of a Vaccines or Blossoms' rock-pop style. This one, for me, is undoubtedly chart material with the mix of Nathan's clean vocals and bass beat screaming for the 'hands in the air sway,' but DJs beware the abrupt ending.

Relationships in all their different guises are the theme of this CD, exploring heartbreak, loss, new love and the one that got away. The Call That Never Comes is an orchestral anthem, powerful strings that pluck at your heart, while So Blind is a totally different sound, a lighter more dance pop, with a hurricane guitar solo that rocks more than the boat.

Remember The Day lives up to its name, reminiscing and taking a wistful look back at past love.

Break In Two is the sad song of love lost, while Left Our Love In The Rain is a more raspy, grainy rock number, again with delicious growling guitar that makes the spine tingle.

An accomplished eight track album which highlights Nathan's captivating vocals, and considering he struggled with selective mutism as a youngster it is no mean achievement. - Flicky Harrison