Liverpool-born, Newcastle-based UK folkie Kathryn Williams steps up to the plate this time as lead singer with The Pond. Featuring electric guitar flourishes, ‘60s-tinged trippy vibes, beautiful vocal interplay between Williams and bandmate Ginny Clee and even a wee bit of hip hop by way of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll (‘Bebop’ features some rhymes by rapper Kirsch), the record stands shoulder to shoulder with her Mercury Music Prize-nominated second LP Little Black Numbers. Check it out.