The lyrical troubadour shines a folksy light on modern Essex life.
The former Hefner frontman’s LP output now in double figures, one might wonder whether he’s peaked already.
But give this 12-song set a spin and it’s immediately clear Hayman is not only still pushing our folk-pop buttons, but smacking us with a multi-instrumental blindside to boot.
Second in a trilogy on Essex, Hayman’s home county, it boasts songs about “love in unloved places” - be it illicit car park sex, staged woodland dog fights or post-industrial decline (the exquisitely sagging Dagnham Ford).
A solid, soulful orchestra bolsters and stretches his bucolic English folk songs into new territory, partnered with a refreshing lyrical mix of romance and brusqueness delivered with characterful vocals.
Woozy, warm, ironic, humourous, snappy and sad by turns, this is a keeper.
4 stars
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here