Martin Callingham releases his debut solo album Tonight, We All Swim Free. Recorded at Bristol’s Toybox Studios, the album was co-produced by Ali Chant whose credits include Gruff Rhys, PJ Harvey, Perfume Genius, Seasick Steve and Yann Tiersen.

The album, written between a short solo tour of Italy last December and the first studio sessions in April, is a collection of acutely melodic and affectingly personal songs, interspersed with the occasional instrumental interlude, field recording and heartening slice of lo-fi pop.

Debut album's don't come much more polished than this, but then Callingham had finely honed his skills with the band Joyce the Librarian. He has a style that is hard not to fall in love with. Tonight, We All Swim Free opens with a beautiful instrumental track ('Rhosgoch') and closes with the heartbreakingly poignant 'Tides Return'.

If I had one complaint, it's that the album is way too short - the 10 tracks only come in at 27 min, 54 sec. This tips a toe into the folk scene - but not too much that it will but off those that usually shy away from the genre.

9

Nick Smithson