How They AreBella Union ****

In Peter Broderick's hands, melancholic minimalism has become a thing of great beauty. From Portland, Oregon, the classically trained composer and singer (and occasional member of Efterklang's touring band) is remarkably prolific, with folk, chamber-pop and new-classical works in the back catalogue. A little like 2008's much-lauded Home, this mini-album effortlessly mixes the various shades of his work.

The bare-bones setting works beautifully because of the calibre of the ingredients: Broderick has a fine, clear, elegant voice that provides ballast to what might otherwise be merely a series of slender sounds. While up to now you could hear traces of other voices in Broderick's work, tracks such as Human Eyeballs On Toastand Sidelineshow that Broderick is fast becoming quite peerless. See www.peterbroderick.net

Download tracks: Human Eyeballs On Toast, Sideline, Pulling the Rain