8/10

Throughout the last three decades, singer-songwriter Will Oldham has stood as one of the more proficient and alluring songwriters working the ground in recent times. Since adopting the Bonnie "Prince" Billy moniker near the turn of the century, he has rarely been away from the recording studio, regularly releasing new material either by himself or as part of a collaboration, which we saw on his two most recent records where he joined forces with Matt Sweeney and Bill Callahan respectively. But now he is back in his solo guise as he delivers 'Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You', a record brimming with warmth and passion.

While much of his releases this past decade have usually either been part of another artists' work or cover songs, 'Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You' is a firm reminder of just how heartfelt his own material can be. Sweeping and swooning the length of this new collection with a flurry of rich and immersive acoustic-led delights throughout, he returns with a truly wondrous offering here, heightening his powerful presence and luring us closer to him as often as possible.

Despite being one of the more prolific names on the scene these days, Bonnie "Prince" Billy still remains charged with some beautifully endearing ideals here. 'Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You' is not just a strong return to form, but focused outing that shows he is far from losing his edge.