7/10

Brian Noyes has spent the last few years steadily building a world of his own, and with his new offering 'The Ringing World', that universe feels richer, stranger and more fully realised than ever. The Seattle singer-songwriter’s third solo album finds him pushing his psych-pop instincts into increasingly lush territory, blending baroque textures, gentle surrealism and a wonderfully nostalgic sense of melody into one of his most complete statements to date.

Following last year's 'Seelie Court', he once again works alongside engineer and co-producer Nicholas Wilbur, and that continuity gives the album a beautifully cohesive feel. There's a softness to these songs, but never a lack of detail. Mellotron-like warmth, delicate keys, acoustic textures and carefully layered arrangements create a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic, recalling the elegance of Nick Drake and Bridget St. John while retaining the playful, slightly off-centre charm that has long defined his work to date.

Early singles ‘Tarot’ and ‘The Boy You Love To Burn’ offer a strong indication of the album’s character. Both carry that hazy, dreamlike quality he does so well, but there's also a growing confidence in the songwriting, with hooks and arrangements allowed to unfold at their own pace rather than rushing towards obvious conclusions.

Throughout, Brian Noyes clearly understands the value of atmosphere, and the album frequently feels like it is drifting between memory and imagination. Contributions from former members of La Luz, Alvvays and Sugar Candy Mountain add even more colour to the record, expanding its palette without ever overpowering the quiet personality at its centre.

Warm, intricate and full of understated beauty, 'The Ringing World' is another impressive step forward for Brian Noyes. It's the kind of record that rewards close listening, gradually revealing new details with every return and proving once again that he remains one of the more distinctive voices operating within today’s psych-pop underground.