DEVENDRA BANHART Vinyl & CDs

Review: Although it was reportedly recorded in a "cabin in the woods" and fuelled by "nights listening to the Grateful Dead", Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart's latest album is a far more drowsy, dreamy and immersive affair than you might expect. Produced by label-mate Cate Le Bon (who also contributed instrumentation), Flying Wig somehow sounds contemporary despite being rooted in a mix of the woozy sound-worlds of Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel's more downbeat mid-80s moments, classic sixties folk-rock and the kind of heart-aching, country-tinged AOR ballads that were once a feature of late-night AM radio. It's beautiful and beguiling, basically, and never wavers from its distinct sonic blueprint.