Album: Mara Carlyle, Floreat (Ancient and Modern)

Unwise as it may be to declare an album is destined to become a classic, I've no reservations in doing so in regard to this long awaited follow-up to The Lovely.

Unnervingly perfect vocals, lush yet off-centre arrangements, quirkily original songs (with echoes of Lhasa, Corinne Bailey Rae and Rufus Wainwright in there somewhere) – and a fervid, naked longing that occasionally breaks the pristine surface. All of this adds up to something very special indeed.