Former frontman of Clann Zú, ‘Blackbird Song’ is the first single to be lifted from de Barra’s forthcoming debut, Song of a Thousand Birds. The first thing that hits you about de Barra is his voice: it’s full of that quivering emotion found in the vocals of Antony and The Johnsons, and even Johnny Cash. There’s an intensity and darkness which stems from the way he wraps his voice around the lyrics. Not since Jeff Buckley has hope ever sounded so desperate and wanting. On the flipside, ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ is equally mesmerising. Desolate and bare, it affords de Barra’s voice the opportunity to soar. His phrasing, enriched by his country accent, only serves to highlight the vulnerability he sings about. A passionate, intense and stunning record.