At times enchanting, at others a little confusing and piecemeal, Unmap is a diverse instrumental collage delicately augmented by Vernon’s falsetto vocals. Conjuring an atmosphere reminiscent of a wounded Sufjan Stevens, although perhaps a little less epic, there’s a distinctly tidal feel to the record as a constant pastiche of styles and instruments celestially dissolve in and out of earshot. ‘Island, IS’, ‘Still’ (which features the same vocals as ‘Woods’ from Bon Iver’s Blood Bank EP) and ‘Husks and Shells’ are all beautiful tracks which plunge me into a euphoric stupor, but ‘Seeplymouth’ vividly stands out as the undoubted highlight and for your enjoyment, I’ve attached it below. This is music that makes me smile.

Volcano Choir – Seeplymouth

Buy Volcano Choir music at 7digital.

Alongside my usual melange of dubstep, looped Minilogue and the occasional return to the metal days of old, I’ve really been getting into the folky/acoustic indie end of things. Bon Iver’s album For Emma, Forever Ago is one of the most heart-warming and inspirational records I’ve ever listened to and even though Justin Vernon looks like he should smell of leaves, his ability to communicate a sense of isolation and quivering intensity is nothing short of awesome. From the humble beginnings of ‘Flume’ to the whispering resolution of ‘Re: Stacks’, every track flows with its own sense of melancholic purpose. It gives me a cosy sense of security, as if I were holed up in a small wooden cabin with a roaring fire and no worries. Which is weird because when I looked the album up on Wikipedia, I found out it was all recorded in a log cabin in Wisconsin, a fact I found strangely satisfying. It also makes me want to grow a beard, which is something I can [sort of, and eventually will] do.

The Tallest Man on Earth’s Shallow Grave has a similar effect on me and despite its morbid name, is another majestic example of how music can swing your mood. Every time I listen to ‘Where Do My Bluebird Fly’ or ‘Honey Won’t You Let Me In’, I just want to go out and do things. And I’m not talking about going to the shops and buying some prawn mayo sandwiches — although that’s invariably what I start with — I mean something worthwhile. There’s people out there making music this amazing and all I’m doing is sitting in my boxers, eating doritos and chain-watching episodes of Entourage. Oh well, these twangy banjo vibes will placate for me now, but soon I’ll buy my own instruments and make something of myself. Or just write about it on the internet.

Most of you have probably heard these albums before and haven’t even read this far, you’re probably getting lost in ‘Blindsided’ right now. But, for those of you who haven’t hit this particular pathway before, you need to put your mittens on string and roll around in the aural equivalent of autumn leaves for a while. It will make you happy.