Bernard Butler's second solo long player is almost flawless. Bold, unfettered, led by simple strong riffs and freefalling melodies. The voice roars and whispers alternately, desperate to show you the fire in his soul but wary of scaring you away.

Title track Friends & Lovers stands out at once, a classy, stylish rock'n'roll track without any of the pretensions that might be assumed with style. Similarly, I'd Do It Again If I Could is a funky, rhythmic track with a distinctive sweeping organ flushed through it. You Must Go On is a triumphant, rousing song with an impassioned cry for release. Let's Go Away has a contagious chorus that will stay with you for hours.

Cocoon, No Easy Way Out and Has Your Mind Got Away are more reflective and soothing but continue the ardent, fiery theme of the album. Dreamy but tender and yearning.

Everyone I Know Is Falling Apart is the most introspective track on the album besides the quietly confused nature of Precious. "Everyone I know is falling apart, I know I'll be the last" Butler sings, confident of his own strength but resigned to fate.

Sadly, Friends & Lovers has its failings; Smile and What Happened To Me falling short of the general high standard. On the whole though, a rather special album. The quality songs effortlessly outnumber the disappointments, leaving a rich and glorious feeling lingering in your veins.

Strongly recommended.

9/10 Maddie Cross

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