Matthew Logan Vasquez releases his new album, Does What He Wants, through Dine Alone Records. As fans of his work with Delta Spirit and Middle Brother know well, Vasquez knows how to fuse passion and poetry in his writing and then ignite this volatile mix with extraordinarily expressive singing.

The album we were sent for review appears to have an additional four tracks to the one available from online retailers - four radio edits of some of the tracks on the album. If you can pick this version up it's well worth it as it's interesting to note the slight differences.

The LP we received contained 15 tracks (53 min, 51 sec) and it really is an uplifting, upbeat album (just don't concentrate on the lyrics, as all is not as rosy as the music implies). After listening to this almost nonstop for two weeks I'm still torn between favourite tracks. This shifts almost every time I play it. However, 'Headed West' was one song that caught my attention from the start. It has a haunting, almost football club chant at its core, which is hard not to fall in love with.

Other highlights include 'Same' and 'Fatherhood'. This is, however, a slow burner. It's one that you'll almost certainly enjoy the first play through, but get even more from the more times you play it.

8

Nick Smithson