The Coral's Lee Southall unveils debut solo album

Having removed himself from the ranks of Wirralian wonders The Coral in 2014, Lee Southall's return to music hasn't exactly been a rushed process. Like his former compatriot Bill Ryder-Jones, he took time out to assess his path before unveiling any new music – and if first track Shade of Blue is anything to go by, it's been worth the wait.

Taken from Iron in the Fire, his forthcoming debut album as a solo artist, it's a breezy piece of acoustic-led Americana, bearing the influence of the American West Coast and UK folk legend Bert Jansch, while also reminiscent of Ryan Adams' artfully melancholic alt country. The album itself was inspired by Southall's relocation to Hebden Bridge, following The Coral's hiatus in 2012.

“I worked building dry stone walls on the moors,” Southall says, explaining the background to to the album. “Living up there, the weather is always a big issue. There’s been a few emotional storms in my life over the past few years too so I guess the landscape got into the songs in some way. Iron In The Fire is about change, transformation, something being melted down and re-shaped.”

Listen to Shade of Blue in the player below. Iron in the Fire is released via Wonderful Sound on 21 April.