Stephen Fretwell @ Classic Grand

Stephen Fretwell went to New York to record his recent second album, Man On the Roof, and the effect of this transatlantic pilgrimage does not go unnoticed in the northern lad's development. It is there in the sound of a mature and versatile 25 year-old, although the random Noo Yawk voice piping in with "That's fucking genius man" after track nine may give the game away. At a time when semi-talented, drug-addled 'mockneys' are aiming to be the next British singer to break America, Fretwell is quietly letting his music do the publicity work for him. The lyrics are evocative yet personal, the music understated yet effective, but it is the overall quality of the songwriting that sets him apart. And that voice. Fretwell doesn't strain his larynx to squeeze every last emotion out of the song; he just sings naturally with a voice that can be 20-a-day gritty or triple-distilled angelic depending on the song. Experience it up close while you can. [Nick Mitchell]