Jon Gomm - The Faintest Idea (2020) [Hi-Res]

The Blackpool-born singer-songwriter's 2003 home-recorded debut, 'Hypertension', was nothing short of a musical revelation: drumming beats, tapping chords & striking harmonics on his acoustic underneath that warm, soulful voice. Follow up album 'Secrets Nobody Keeps' arrived in 2013, further cementing his stature as one of the driving forces behind an acoustic revolution but now, having signed a label deal for the very first time in his career, he's managed to truly refine the pop sensibilities and emotive expression within that unmistakable wall of sound.

The Faintest Idea's title is based on the notion that all of us, to some extent, are just 'The Faintest Idea', "It's an enigmatic title," smiles Gomm. "There's a fine line between a metaphor and a pun, so I guess it dances on that" and explores the contrasts between the warmth of Gomm's acoustic articulation with more icy affairs, thanks to the synth parts and production work from Australian musician Andy Sorenson, together they have created a contemporary masterpiece.

Often cited as one of the most naturally gifted acoustic artists of the modern age, Gomm drew inspiration from his own experiences over the last few years. And while there have been moments of joyous celebration, by his own admission there has also been plenty of personal upheaval: "This album has been a long time coming," he reflects. "I tend to write in a really painstaking way. The last few years of my life have involved a lot of personal trauma from me and my wife losing a pregnancy, through to losing other people in my life."