I must admit that by the time I had completed my first sitting of the third album by Toronto band Great Lake Swimmers, I sat in silence as if still taking in what I wasn’t sure my ears had heard. I have since listened to Lost Channels many times and each listen has sent me into a trance.

Beautiful, mellow, echo-laden songs telling intelligent stories written in an almost conversational style, chief song-writer Dekker has upped the ante and created what is probably his first ‘band’ album after normally single-handedly controlling previous releases.

The majesty within these songs jumps out and completely grips your senses. Great Lake Swimmers deserve to be spoken of with the same reverence as Fleet Foxes, Iron and Wine and Band of Horses. The album is still playing in my head and I am unashamedly blown away!