John Grant - 'Queen of Denmark'

Given that their most recent record stilled the pulses they'd set racing with The Trials of Van Occupanther, it's somewhat ironic that Midlake have given a leg up to John Grant on his debut solo effort. There are Midlake-esque flourishes all over this wonderful record and yet everything it's all done in such a perfectly understated way. But regardless of who's backing him here, Grant has created one of the most prefectly formed collection of songs of 2010. It's not as if he's come from nowhere - Grant once fronted The Czars with whom he released several albums before they went their separate ways in the face of public indifference. But with Queen of Denmark he's crafted something as compelling as, say, For Emma, Forever Ago. Stunning music.
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TC and Honeybear - John Grant