I have had this album for weeks now, and play it over and over, its like a contagion, barely a day passes when I don’t listen to it, much as in the way I did for SvE’s previous album Epic a couple of years ago.

There is no point wittering on about the star cast lined up to play and support, the National have been long time fans and supporters. But the impact of these additions is undeniable – from the sparkling but restrained guitar work if  Aaron Dessner to the spacious and evocative production.
But throughout the essence of SvE stands out, that remarkable voice, the quality if the song writing, the wrenching emotional punch.

Despite there not being a weak track here, some of course stand proud, like the magnificent Give Out, the fabulously loping Magic Cords, and All I Can which builds to that almost Roy Orbison ending.

SvE makes but brief visits to these shores but May 16 will see her at the Scala in London and I await breathlessly to hear her perform these songs and hopefully some from Epic as well.