The Painter CD

It's been a wee while since William Orbit released a solo album - eight years, in fact - but we'll forgive him; after all, he's one of the world's most in-demand producers and remixers. The Painter, whose title alludes to his favourite hobby (he painted the clubber illustration), is predictably packed with star turns from guest vocalists, sonically picturesque, and full to bursting with picturesque melodies, dreamy chords, intricate instrumentation and nods towards a variety of styles he's long been associated with (think downtempo, ambient and deep synth-pop in particular). Highlights include the shuffling, sun-splashed Georgia collaboration 'Bank of Wildflowers', the twinkling pianos, deep bass and Kate Bush-esque vocals (provided by Polly Scattergood) of 'Colours Colliding', and the Ibiza-friendly ambient swell of 'Planet Sunrise'.