Josh Record, gig review

Wilton’s Music Hall, London

“This is one of my favourite artists, Bon Iver,” Josh Record maintains before launching into a cover of “Flume”.

It quickly becomes very clear that alt-folkie Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) is a huge influence on the 26-year-old's music, and on Record's warbling falsetto delivery, which also recalls Aaron Neville and Jeff Buckley.

It's all about his robust voice as the music's a bit of a sludge and the lyrics often lack punch. The exceptions are his compelling single “Bones”, in which he claims that “my love will clothe your bones”, and “The War” where he laments “I'm running round in circles drinking whiskey and your wine/ To drown the sound of endless questions in your mind.”

The earnest crooner from Stroud is yet to release his debut album but on the strength of two EPs (The War and Bones) he has garnered support slots with the likes of Lorde and London Grammar and is about to support Sam Smith.

He clearly has the conviction and talent and it helps that he's a handsome devil (as the whoops and meows from the audience testify), so there's every chance of him achieving Tom Odell levels of success. His next single, the typically overwrought ballad “For Your Love”, will probably take him there.