Informed by the fevered writing of Kerouac and Ginsberg and in the thrall to classic songsmiths like Dylan and Cohen, Kilkenny man Shane Joyce first cut his musical teeth as frontman for Americana act The Midnight Union Band. New solo album, The Sadness Of King Joyce, sees the artist step away from the shadow of his day job, at least for a little bit. Comprised of nine confessional, folk-based cuts, among the highlights are the plaintive, ivory-tinkling ballad ‘Piano Song’; the glockenspiel-battering ‘The Battle’; and the fiendishly catchy ‘Winter’ (which features T Rex-style backing vocals). Best of the lot, however, is the title track, which skilfully utilises violins and Joyce’s powerful baritone to create a memorable tune. A must-listen for fans of stirring folk and incisive lyrics. OUT APRIL 9

RATING: 7/10