Stranger Things

The lavish cover art says it all. Almond casts himself as a 21st century troubadour adorned with diamonds and pearls. The tone is lavish and luxurious, but thankfully Marc resists the temptation of totally re-inventing himself in uncomfortable futuristic clothes.

Stranger Things has a lovely subtle techno sheen that updates the Soft Cell electronic pop template into new shapes and sounds. ‘Born To Cry’ pushes the melodrama to Scott Walker-like extremes but somehow manages not to sound totally ridiculous.

‘Come Out’ is pure Almond

cabaret – outlandish, entertaining and moving with a couple of killer lines (“An ugly duckling hiding in a peacock’s nest”).

Almond’s voice is always a joy to listen to. He always sounds as if he is amazed by everyday life, suffusing ‘Lights’ with a sense of wonder and love rarely found in mainstream music. Joy is counterbalanced by heartbreak (‘Tantalise Me’, End In Tears’) and gritty realism (‘Moonbathe Skin’).

While Stranger Things occasionally overstays it welcome, it is a

surprisingly engaging and compelling listen from one of the truly great

vocalists of our times.