The Melbourne songwriter Dan Brodie is something of an enigma on the Australian music scene, having forged his way in the pub rock scene, straddling both rock in the traditional sense and countrified twang and rockabilly. His last few releases though have explored a more noir aesthetic, adding to the mystery of Cowboy Dan.

On the new album, Brodie successfully finds common ground for his many influences. Opening with the magnificent and brooding ‘(I Can Feel) Love Closing In’ he delivers the lines in a way that barely hangs together, which only adds to the melancholic romance and compelling storytelling. A detour through the Beck meets Grandaddy playfulness of ‘Old Betty’ leads to the braggadocio strut of ‘I’m The Shit’ before Brodie goes full Jagger fronting ZZ Top on ‘Losin’ Love (Is Dangerous)’. 

Accordion features on the old-timey and catchy saloon fling of ‘My Last Picture Show’, while violin leads the Zydeco swing of ‘Here We Go Again’. The penultimate track is a clever drinking song but then we’re left with the atmospheric and stunning Lanois meets Cave spoken word title track. If you can imagine Dylan and Nilsson recording an eclectic cosmic Americana record it might sound something like this impressive album.

Chris Familton