BONNIE PRINCE BILLY – WOLFROY GOES TO TOWN

Will Oldam’s ability to twist and turn, producing the unexpected, whilst remaining uniquely recognisable, is undoubtedly one of his greatest skills. Wolfroy Goes to Town sees him as Bonnie Prince Billy return to his lowest of keys, it is an album that mocks the concept of spartan. Full of what Will/Billy does best, exploring lonesome beauty and off beat wordplay. Stating his intentions best on It’s Time to be Clear, where his voice sits alone but for the occasionally plucked note, the Prince needs little more to make himself heard: “And stop all the moaning / And bemoaning of faith / God isn’t listening / Or else he’s too late”. But just to counter point the rest of the album, because he can, Billy let’s loose on Quail and Dumplings, letting the band break into a soft shoe shuffle, a sweet little toe-tapper. This is not the place to introduce someone to the joys of Bonnie Prince Billy, Master and Everyone would serve you better for that, but it is another little gem from mucial royalty.

*** 1/2