When Paddy Hanna unleashed his debut solo album in 2014, it was obvious that the ex-Grand Pocket Orchestra man was right to strike out on his own. His second opus, Frankly, I Mutate, now sees the tunesmith take another huge stride forward, leaving behind the anti-folk vibe of Leafy Stiletto in order to embrace a lush retro-pop sound. Along for the ride this time round is producer/Girl Band member Daniel Fox, and the pair have cooked up a record that is an emotional rollercoaster. Featuring appearances from Cian Nugent and the Cosmos, Tandem Felix, Saint Sister and the Trinity Orchestra, Hanna’s fusion of upbeat hooks with dark lyrics makes for an unforgettable combination. A record that aims to find comfort and catharsis in music, Frankly, I Mutate offers one hell of a journey. Starting off with some seriously stunning alt-pop (‘Mario Lanza’, ‘Ida’ and ‘Bad Boys’ are possibly the catchiest songs the Dubliner has ever penned), the LP gradually takes a not-unwelcome walk on the weird side (eg. the chilling, Wickerman-style folk of ‘Reverends Grave’). Tying everything together, though, is Hanna’s crooked croon, which imbues the material with real grit and gravitas. A fine album. OUT MARCH 2

Rating: 8/10