Subtle Vertigo CD

As debut albums go, this sumptuous set from the previously unheralded Scott Gilmore is extremely impressive. It's made up of eight evocative and emotion-rich compositions layered in Jonny Nash style guitar, meandering analogue synthesizer motifs, swirling sonic textures and the sounds of dusty old instruments bought at yard sales in the producer's native California. While his influences - think Eno and Byrne, the Walker Brothers, quirky 1970s library music, easy listening and early Air, for starters - are obvious, none of the included tracks sound like heartfelt tributes. In fact, it's Gilmore's own musical voice - imaginative, atmospheric and quietly colourful, with a passion for lo-fi recording techniques - that makes Subtle Vertigo such a rewarding listen.