Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm Dirty Hit Records**

If you're one for conspiracy theories, you'll be forgiven for thinking that there's some secret school for young folk musicians hidden in the English countryside. The 21-year-old Benjamin Francis Leftwich could reasonably claim to be its latest graduate, although the York native hasn't quite mastered the "originality" module just yet. There's a lot to like about Leftwich's debut, primarily his waifish voice, a throaty wisp that softly sweeps through such sombre songs as Box of Stonesand Atlas Hands. Yet these gently plucked and sweetly strummed numbers ultimately lead to frustrating dead ends when they could have gained so much from a change of tempo or style. Shine's simple, upbeat bounce mixes things up, but it's not enough. Leftwich gets an A for effort, but must try harder. See benjaminfrancis leftwich.com

Download tracks: Butterfly Culture, Shine