Album: Lawrence Arabia, Chant Darling (Bella Union)

Lawrence Arabia isn't his real name, of course: his real name is Dave Arabia. OK, it's James Milne, a 28-year-old from New Zealand who has served time with the Ruby Suns and Okkervil River, and wrote the score for Eagle vs Shark.

Chant Darlin is Milne's UK debut. With its proudly retro approach it's reminiscent of mellifluous MOR from the depths of the 1970s (particularly the Plastic Ono Band and the Korgis), although that genre isn't traditionally associated with lyrics about waking up covered in your own vomit.