Paul Haig - Go Out Tonight

To coincide with his first live shows in sixteen years, former Josef K singer Paul Haig releases his tenth – yes, tenth – solo album. And whereas his Josef K persona was all giddy angst and jitterbug freak, Go Out Tonight - while it skirts with paranoia - is the product of a more contented, better fed, middle-aged man. Haig has long since broadened his scope beyond brittle guitars, favouring meaty basslines, string segments and a surprisingly danceable formula. But while there is a veneer of sheen, it is still the work of a songwriter, not a producer, and is oddly reminiscent of Heathen, David Bowie's own late-career return to form. In a largely upbeat album, Believe is one of the few minor-key songs, making it a standout in more ways than one, while Trouble Maker and Data Retro are more in keeping with the theme of the title. A decent return, but the overly slick production tends to neutralise some of Haig's artistic charisma. [Nick Mitchell]