When I found out that Jack Colwell & The Owls wrote “Hopechest” to pay homage to Vashti Bunyan, I only hoped that justice was done. In my opinion, it definitely was.

“Hopechest” takes its melody from “Just another diamond day” and turns it into a multi-layered, piano-driven, affair. Colwell’s nonchalant vocals make you think you’re listening to a Nick Drake re-incarnate. The flute and female vocals anchor in on the hook, and you can’t help but sing or whistle along.

B-side “Pigeons & Peacocks” is a beautiful track where Colwell’s deftness on the piano comes to the fore. The classical orchestration, provided by his band ‘The Owls’, end the track with the grandiosity of a Rufus Wainwright song.

It may seem naff to compare an upcoming artist to musical greats, but Colwell should take it as a complement. I look forward to hearing more from this great band.

Review Score: 8/10