Back in 2010 when we first came across Mathew Gray, our New Bands Panel attempted gamely not to mention Bob Dylan too often as they described what they loved about the Lancashire singer-songwriter. Now Gray’s sound has been fleshed out with a full, luxuriously-named backing band the influence, while still there, has receded markedly. Gray is certainly somebody who does interesting things with the pop song: tracks on the band’s upcoming The Crocodile EP deal with a soldier doubting his mission in Afghanistan, a young man drawn to an extremist group and a couple meeting up after an amicable break-up. Most striking of all though is the title track which tells the history of mankind through the eyes of the crocodile. Forget those Dylan comparisons – Gray is a wonderfully unique talent all of his own.
New folk music recommendations
