Hubbert’s acclaimed debut ‘First and Last’ was very much a solo pursuit- literally one man and his guitar, with occasional percussive backing. However, for its successor he has ventured into collaborative territory, with eight of the albums songs being co-written along with three of his own solo compositions.
Opener ‘We Radioed’ with Luke Sutherland is an ominous and atmospheric piece which, while not representative of the album as a whole, certainly grabs the attention. The second track on ‘Thirteen Lost and Found’ sees Hubbert team up with Aidan Moffat on ‘Car Song’, the comfortingly morose tones of the former Arab Strap man complemented beautifully by Hubbert’s lush guitar arpeggios. “Let’s do it- lets sell our home and all our things and buy a campervan” implores Moffat as the song reaches its conclusion.
On ‘Sunbeam Melts The Hour’ Hubbert collaborates with Marion Kenny and Hanna Tuulikki, with the beguiling vocals of the latter making it one of the album’s highlights. ‘Sandwalks’ featuring Hubbert’s former El Hombre Trajeado bandmate Stevie Jones and Paul Savage is the album’s most haunting moment, while ‘Half Light’ features a mournful vocal from Emma Pollock.
The album concludes with ‘The False Bride’ , an affecting duet with folk musician Alasdair Roberts about the marriage of “A lassie that should have been mine.” It’s a fittingly poignant conclusion to an album with many beautiful moments, but it is Hubbert’s own unique guitar playing that shines brightest throughout.