8/10

Since breaking through with his much-loved debut LP 'Threshold' in 2023, Dutch singer-songwriter Jacob D. Edward has found himself in a rich and riveting guise in the years passed. Exploring more of that warm and tender emotion he has captured across a run of vibrant releases recently, his tenure to date has been this wildly explorative one that always looks to find and produce something new in which to explore. And with the buzz surrounding his work continuing to build, he is back once again with his hotly-tipped sophomore album 'Borderline', a record that rekindles that same provocative aura he is known for.

Building upon the renowned acclaim of his latest singles 'Sophie Take Me Dancing' and 'Musings', this new ten-track collection offers up some beautifully moving moments as it plays. Keeping the production stripped back to its bare bones, largely just a humbled acoustic guitar and his own captivating vocals throughout, 'Borderline' makes for this wonderful powerful listening experience at every turn. Moving with the same elegance of many indie-folk contemporaries, Edward sees himself apart with his broad and narrative-driven approach to songwriting.

It has certainly been an impactful time for him recently, but 'Borderline' shows he is still brimming with plenty of fresh and immersive ideas in which to pursue. Conjuring some of the more heartfelt textures we have heard so far this year, he returns with some of his more immersive material to date here.