Blake Mills - Heigh Ho
THERE'S no shortage of romantic angst in the world of rock music. Blake Mills' second album Heigh Ho stands out, however, in the way that it practically shivers with longing and loathing, from the self-flagellating lyrics to the minimalist, atmospheric arrangements that suddenly erupt into howling guitar noise – unlike the seemingly fairy tale-like album's title. "Please don't tell your friends about me. What if I'm unworthy of the power I hold over you?" sings the 28-year-old in Don't Tell Our Friends About Me. California-born Mills, who has collaborated with Norah Jones, Conor Oberst, Kid Rock and Lana Del Rey, might well have the most tortured of tortured souls, but he's poured all of it into this beautiful, bleak, powerful album. It's a tremendous piece of work, even if you probably wouldn't want to be his girlfriend.
James Robinson
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