Tobias Cummings may not be a household name but his superb writing chops did result in his debut album, Join The Dots being nominated for the Australian Music Prize. Four years on and his sophomore record, A Trophy seems poised to allow history to repeat itself and garner a nomination at the very least.

It’s almost cliché to describe a singer-songwriter as having multiple feathers to their cap. But while many write songs that genre-hop more than some kids playing hopscotch, with Cummings it is executed with great aplomb. He couples poetic nous with vivid lyrics and an adept musicality, such that the songs sing with richness, depth and emotion. The listener is treated to a veritable smorgasbord from dark Alex Lloyd Black The Sun-era balladry to soaring Ben Lee-esque pop, blue-eyed soul and epic electric-folk blends full of distorted, disembodied voices. And often there is a joke or two added for good measure, meaning A Trophy will leave you with plenty to smile about.

Review Score: 8/10.