8/10

Dry The River may have preemptively disbanded back in 2015, much to the dismay of fans and critics who felt the band still had plenty more to offer. But since returning as a solo act last year, frontman P.D. Liddle looks to continue the haunting folk melodies in a one-man guise and marks the first milestone of his new career with the unveiling of his debut studio album 'Casual Labour'; A humbled and mesmerising collection of new material that still holds onto much of the lighthearted whimsy of his Dry The River days.

Hearing his voice over the top of a softly serenaded guitar may sound like not much has changed since the time in his initial band, but now becoming a solo artist, Liddle has stripped back much of the fanfare and production in order to better focus the listener on just his words and prose. As it plays, we are treated to one subtle yet progressive single after another, that all seem to swell and embolden as it goes on. Before letting us down gently with the record's stunner final entry 'Mary', a track that manages to sum out the sound of this record with beautiful excellence and a euphoric crescendo.

It is clear that P.D. Liddle certainly has a formula that he likes to stick to, but when it produces music this wonderful and uplifting, there is really no reason to change it. 'Casual Labour' marks only the beginning of his new career, but one that feels once again, that there is plenty more to offer.