The Lucksmiths’ Tali White is back with a brand new Guild League record, and, once again, the results are wonderful! Unlike Private Transport, he’s decided to change up the concept a little bit. With his debut album, he enlisted a small army of indie-pop stars from all around the world to help him realize his goals, but for Inner North, he’s backed by a core group of musicians. (To be fair, I’m not sure that a rotating cast of characters was what White was intending—it just happened.)

One thing’s quite clear, though—White’s still writing wonderful pop music. With Inner North, he’s obviously in a slightly colder, sadder mindset, accentuating his songs with melancholy strings and piano. You really cannot get any more downcast than “Animals” and “Trust” and “Where Are You Now,” and, really, I don’t know if I’d want to! There’s only one moment that’s reminiscent of his Lucksmiths work—the excellent “Shot In The Arm”—and, sadly, there’s not a rap song to be found this time around!

Inner Transport is a lovely, sad little record, one that’s quite apropos for a hot cup of tea at an internet café on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Tali White’s already proven that he’s a talented man, and Inner North is a fine, fine addition to his catalogue of wonderful songs and excellent albums.

--Joseph Kyle

Label Website: http://www.indiepages.com/matinee