Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Scottish modern country husband and wife duo Tim and Esther O'Connor - better known as Ashton Lane - know how to find a formula and stick with it as the pair's latest album testifies. Produced by Esther's dad Graeme Duffin at the Wet Wet Wet guitarist's Foundry Music Lab in Motherwell, this latest offering from the O'Connors contains the tried and tested default FML sound that has adorned the group's previous albums as well as releases by numerous acts over the years including Yvonne Lyon, Rob Halligan, Michael McMillan and worship collective Satellite. As a result, light country, 6/8 time signatures and gentle Americana sounds abound here in accessible and undemanding fashion and this suits the wistful Suzanne Vega-like tones of lead singer Esther down to the ground with mid-tempo relationship songs like "Craving You" and "Us" shaping the feel of an album which blends melancholy and cautious optimism to good effect. Providing harmonies for his wife on most songs, Tim takes the lead vocal reins on the considered "Skies On Fire" whilst the sombre "A Cure" tackles the impending environmental fate of the world with precision to highlight Esther's songwriting chops - alongside co-writers Michael Kaiser, brother Jamie Duffin and the aforementioned Graeme.

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