Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

The latest in a long line of quality albums by Welsh singer/songwriter Martyn Joseph begins with the title track - more or less an updated take on Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changing" - and showcases the fact that this seasoned troubadour still has what it takes to offer up intensely thought-provoking songs that exude warmth and passion. As with many Joseph releases over the years, things are kept fairly simple with our man delivering his croaky, whispered vocals on top of some unobtrusive acoustic guitar whilst producer Gerry Diver quietly fills in the gaps with an array of organic instruments. As is to be expected with any Joseph release, this offering has a predominantly downbeat feel but tentative green shoots of hope can be found poking through the cracks in numbers like the tolerance-promoting "Loves Majority" and the life-affirming song of cautious optimism "This Glass". Elsewhere, Joseph charts a car journey with his daughter in the intimately poignant "Driving Her Back To London" whilst there is a tender spirituality on the psalm-like "Oh My Soul" and the album's closer "Collateral" without specifically mentioning God or faith. In short, this is yet another absorbing release from one of the UK's most consistent and excellent songsmiths.

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