In 2006 Midlake reinvented themselves, shifting their playing focus from jazz roots to that of an edgy indie rock band. What transpired was one of my favourite albums of the year, the brilliant The Trials Of Van Occupanther. That album set a tone that was steeped in the 70s sound. Think the classic albums of Jackson Browne, America, Fleetwood Mac.

The Courage of Others is not a huge departure from their last album, but it is understandably more mature, with themes that offer darker subject matter. Fortunately, the songwriting and arranging is still top class and those vocals and harmonies are brilliantly haunting ... but in a nice way! A great way to start the year!!