This is the third solo album from former Slowdive and erstwhile Mojave 3 frontman Neil Halstead, and it finds him in a logical new home over at Sonic Cathedral, who acknowledge that their whole take on music would not exist without him. This album exists in a state of beautiful warmth, channelling the spirit of Nick Drake through songs that speak with direct and unforced emotion. That’s not to say the record is a comfortable one, for ‘Wittgenstein’s Arm’ tells the story of the American concert pianist who had his arm amputated during World War I and lost three of his brothers through suicide. It is a sobering moment, and is countered nicely by the nice touches added to the reflective ‘Love Is A Beast’. This is music that has plenty of room to breathe, for it was recorded over the space of two weekends in a school, rather than a conventional studio, with Halstead keeping a close eye on production. That explains the organic, live feel to the subtle orchestration, which uses strings beautifully. Yet it’s the songs that win through, and Halstead seems at his most natural in these eleven pieces of work. As contemplation, relaxation, or subtle inspiration, ‘Palindrome Hunches’ is an album that goes a long way.
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
5 out of 5
