Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

It's taken six years for Foy Vance to record what everyone refers to as the "notoriously difficult second album" but it was definitely worth the wait. T Bone Burnett famously said that Christian singer/songwriters can sing about the light or they can sing about what the light illuminates and this is definitely in the latter category. In the intervening six years Vance has moved from London to the more peaceful surroundings of the Highlands of Scotland and he has grown the sort of moustache that we're used to seeing on second world war fighter pilots. He's also grown his songwriting and consequently grown in the affections of his fans and rightly so. 'Joy Of Nothing' is a rich, beautiful and emotional album. His raw, honest songwriting meets a gorgeous musical sensibility which includes some roots from his early childhood in Oklahoma. Matching heartbreak and hope together, it's no wonder that this album is already connecting with audiences. Favourites for me include the title track and the story song "Janey" whose relationship with a guy is explored. Bonnie Rait helps out on backing vocals on "You And I" and Ed Sheeran joins forces for the album's closing anthemic "Guiding Light". At the moment Vance is enjoying a season as an up and coming underground artist that those in the know love to name drop. On the strength of this wonderful album, it won't be long before he gets wider, bigger mainstream recognition.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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