United Nations of SoundEMI ****

Because it was produced by NO ID (one of Chicago’s hip-hop royalty) and features a rap of sorts on track three, you might assume that this is a radical departure for the ex-Verve man. Not exactly, but there is a Motown-type swing here, which establishes Richard Ashcroft’s new outfit as more than just purveyors of indie ballads.

With its Hendrix-style squalls, opener Are You Readyis a call to arms: a full-bodied affair sounding for all the world like something off Second Coming. Things really kick in on the awesome America, an urgent entreaty of an affair. Even better is This Thing Called Life, which is the sort of thing Bob Dylan would be releasing if he were a 21-year-old today. There really is some excellent stuff on this, and Ashcroft remains as charmingly out there as ever.

See richardashcroft.co.uk

Download tracks: This Thing Called Life, America