John MOuse had a very simple idea for his new album, The Goat: to write, record and release a song on a weekly basis. Each song, accompanied by its own artwork was then uploaded to bandcamp. The music for the album was created by long term collaborator Phil Pearce. The result is a typically idiosyncratic and heart on its sleeve, electronic pop album, heavy on spoken word content and catchy chorus hooks, these songs possess musical hints of everyone from Adian Moffat, Momus to early Pulp...

Part poet, part rapper, part stand up comedian, John MOuse (aka John Davies) releases his latest album, The Goat, with music by Phil Pearce. For some, MOuse's sense of humour and twisted view on life will be just the antidote they need to cure them from those COVID blues. But, don't think you won't still need the jab. This album doesn't offer immunity (according to the experts), it will just lift your spirits.

He opens with a song about running from a pigeon... and another that sees him sitting in his bedroom as his mum hosts an Ann Summers party... All of which raise more questions than they answer.

And just when you think he's just a writer of funny songs, he delivers 'Felix and Sebastien' a wonderfully deep and rich piece that you can imagine being orchestrated and forming the opening of a rock opera. Even here MOuse injects his unique brand of humour.

It all boils down to whether you find MOuse funny or you're left scratching your head wondering what on earth he's babbling on about. I mean, who would write a song about being freaked out by a pigeon? Or tell a story from his childhood when he forced another boy to drink from a stream polluted by a dead sheep? Or an '80s new romantics track that revolves around snooker players... I loved it... you might not.

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Nick Smithson