Sivert Høyem – Moon Landing

This is the latest solo release from Sivert Høyem, moody former front-man for Madrugada. The aforementioned group were one of Norway's most successful alternative exports at the start of the last decade, specialising in sullen, melancholic rock. Accordingly, despite a surprisingly jaunty start to this record, the similarities between Hoyem's solo material and his band's previous output is undeniable. That opener Belorado is an uncomplicated slice of upbeat MOR, reminiscent of The Jayhawks and, if you can get past the innate corniness, is really very likeable.

Yet with almost every other song starting on a minor chord the sombre northern chill that has run through much of Hoyem's career is again evident. The surprisingly sassy What You Doin' With Him? has hints of a more polished PJ Harvey and, as with much of Moon Landing, borders on being really very good but is just a little too slick and overwrought to match kindred spirits like Shearwater. [Chris Cusack]