Carl Barât – Carl Barât
Fresh from a series of triumphant Libertines’ reunion shows with old mate Pete Doherty, no-one would have been surprised if Carl Barât had chosen to cash in on those Arcadian glory days for his first solo album proper.
But no, Barât eschews Libertines’ rough-hewn rock for something a little more European sounding.
The jaunty vaudeville-flavoured The Magus sets the tone followed closely by the rollicking Gallic pastiche Je Regrette, Je Regrette.
The album is awash with strings, choirs and lush effects but Barât’s best moments come in the form of pared back, moody torch songs like Carve My Name and Shadows Fall. His one real throwback to the early noughties, the lukewarm Run With The Boys, reminds us why he’s moved on.
3/5
Review: Alison Grinter
