Pagodes (LP)

Jono McCleery's definitive album Pagodes is the deepest, most powerful work to date by a musician whose work has been described as like "Miles Davis, Massive Attack, John Martyn, Fink, and Radiohead wrapped up in one exquisitely produced sound."

Born deaf, McCleery only became able to hear at age 5. He picked up the guitar as an eighteen year old, honing his craft on the London live circuit and touring with the One Taste Collective. Along the way he picked up a small of army evangelical fans, including luminaries such as Tom Robinson and Vashti Bunyan, who led the charge to crowdfund his debut album Darkest Light.

Several years of hard work making Pagodes has paid off in spades. It's an album that's difficult to turn away from, full of beautiful melody, futuristic production flourishes and lyrics that don't shy away from darkness, but always alight on uplifting conclusion. Pagodes marries all of this thrilling diversity via McCleery's existential musings and his startling voice and playing. It's unlikely you'll hear an album of such power from another singer songwriter anytime