RED DIRECT

Out of Season is the exquisite debut album from Beth Gibbons, the voice behind trip-hop stalwarts Portishead whose 1994 album Dummy is generally regarded as an essential part of any true music connoisseur's collection.

Teaming up with her friend Paul Webb of Talk Talk (aka the eponymous Rustin’ Man), she has created a deeply moving, semi-acoustic sound.

The moody beats Portishead made its own have gone, but the emotions that she generates remain intact. Her voice remains as haunting as ever. Standout tracks from the album are the bewitchingly beautiful opening song "Mysteries", the rousing "Tom the model", and the bluesy "Funny time of year".

This haunting debut has a three-in-the-morning air of calm and at the same time can raise the hair at the back of your neck.

It has a definite feeling of sadness, but is infused with the joy of nature ("God knows, how I adore life/When the wind turns on the shores lies another day" - 'Mysteries'). The album's overriding mood is isolation both in time and place. Other references to nature and seasons can be found in 'Funny Time Of Year', 'Resolve') and 'Sand River': "Autumn leaves/beauty's got a hold of me." But that melancholic undertow isn't far away: "Autumn leaves / pretty as can be/everyone can see/everyone except me."
Out of season perhaps, but totally of its time.