This is the first album in five years from a highly original singer-songwriter. Jack Harris was born in Wales and as a teenager was feted in Texas, where he played the SXSW festival and won the Kerrville festival new folk award, previously awarded to Gillian Welch. He has a deep, commanding voice, and is backed here by his own finger-picked guitar and an assortment of instruments, including fiddle, keyboards and percussion, played by producer Gerry Diver, famed for his work with Sam Lee and Lisa Knapp. The melodies mix influences from Americana to British folk, while the poetic, often surreal lyrics range from the powerful, apocalyptic vision of Vanished Birds to the jaunty, finely written James Joyce tribute Molly Bloom. It’s a compelling set that was made possible through a crowdfunding campaign.