Majical Cloudz – Are You Alone?

In song, Devon Welsh – one half of Majical Cloudz – has always come over as a fragile soul. His third album under the moniker doesn't quite shake off the constant, grey cloudz that seem to be his constant companion – though it certainly gives it a go.

Last album Impersonator was a dense series of melancholy piano numbers with subtle synthesised beats, all anchored by Welsh's rich, souful tones. While Are You Alone? doesn't show a great deal of additional range in his wheelhouse, though wingman Matthew Otto takes a defter touch in its production. Hell, it's even uplifting in parts.

Calling a song So Blue could be construed as a warning klaxon for depressive content but our guide happily professes that he'll try not to be "so blue". The title track has a faster tempo than anything else here and even though Silver Car Crash harks back to previous insecurities, Welsh at least appears more comfortable in having an audience for his emotional journey. [Stu Lewis]