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With the best will in the world, it’s easy to sound a little ‘worthy’ in pursuit of Springsteen-shaped poetry. Many a well-meaning band has fallen short of the Boss’s revered standards, into earnest-but-dull territory.

Which makes Northcote (aka Matt Gould) stand out, because his brand of blue-collar, singer/songwriter lust is utterly convincing – world-worn yet fresh and sharp. Think a heavier Chuck Ragan, with a shot of latter-day Deaf Havana and Gaslight Anthem-ish hints.

Coming from small-town Saskatchewan (he’s played places with names like Moose Jaw…), Gould has ascended from prairie roots to soaring, soft rock singalongs like Small Town Dreams. The stirring acoustic strum of Leaving Wyoming is a gorgeous, downtempo example of his gently countrified side, while You Could Never Let Me Down is heartwarming and lovely – finished off with a sweetly classic solo.

It’s familiar ground, but beautifully done; catnip for lovers of Ragan, Ryan Adams and the like.

Polly is deputy editor at Classic Rock magazine, where she writes and commissions regular pieces and longer reads (including new band coverage), and has interviewed rock's biggest and newest names. She also contributes to Louder, Prog and Metal Hammer and talks about songs on the 20 Minute Club podcast. Elsewhere she's had work published in The Musician, delicious. magazine and others, and written biographies for various album campaigns. In a previous life as a women's magazine junior she interviewed Tracey Emin and Lily James – and wangled Rival Sons into the arts pages. In her spare time she writes fiction and cooks.