Joel Sarakula is a singer/song writer who composes retro-pop songs. Born in Sydney, Australia, he is currently based in London. The Golden Age is his debut album and follows on from the popularity of his singles 'Bohemian' and 'I Will Deliver', both of which are included here. This is an impressive first album. There's way more diversity and maturity here than most artists manage to accomplish over their music careers.

It's time for me to do my "lazy journalist" bit and list what some of this album's songs reminded me of. In truth though, there isn't a song her that won't grow on you - and this is also one of those rare albums that you almost instantly warm to every song.

'Old Yellow Photographs' sounds very similar to The Beach Boys's 'God Only Knows'; 'The Lows' (which on first listen to, I thought the lyrics were "You took a rat into my town" - they're actually "You took a ride into my town") brought to mind the music of Eels'; 'Present Tense' is the kind of track you can imagine Robbie Williams singing; 'Only One Still Dancing' reminded me of Malta's entry for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest: Gianluca Bezzina singing 'Tomorrow'; and 'Good Books' reminded me of several of Paul Carrack's songs.

My personal favourite though, had to be the slow 'Shadows', which starts off with a simple piano tune and vocals, which slowly builds into a beautiful song.

Sarakula's music did remind me of a young Robbie Williams, and I highly recommend you check this album out - you'll instantly warm to it.

9

Nick Smithson