Lorna – London's Leaving Me

London’s Leaving Me is Nottingham band Lorna’s fifth record, and it’s really lovely. Gentle, warming and sun-lit, there’s an endearing kind of sparseness to the nine tracks which is surprising, really, given that the band’s made up of six multi-instrumental members. Violas, violins, bells, trumpets, flutes and the occasional electronics float in and out, with all the urgency of a lazy summer Sunday.

Unabashedly twee song titles like You, Me and the Holy Ghost and breathy, twinned vocals from songwriters Mark Rolfe and Sharon Cohen-Rolfe (they’re married – adorable) add a certain sparkle that’s reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian at their most serene. The album's namesake track is heartfelt indie-folk straight from the songbook, rising and falling, softly triumphant.

There’s even a cover of Smothered in Hugs, transforming Guided By Voices' trademark fuzz into something dreamier, languorous. The whole record feels effortless, soothing… but bordering on the passive. A few risks taken would have gone a long way, and could have sharpened something pretty into a truly wonderful album.