ALBUM OF THE WEEK

Dawes Passwords Hub Records, out Fri

The art of lyric writing is not in great shape. Its patron saint, Leonard Cohen, died 18 months ago, and younger songwriters are hardly queuing up to wear his fedora. But there is one who has what it takes.Taylor Goldsmith, frontman for California softrockers Dawes, writes songs that sparkle. It’s a mystery he’s not world-famous. On this, Dawes sixth album, the upbeat songs are muscular, the slow ones meltingly soft.

Living In The Future could be Bob Seger at his peak: a crunching riff, a rousing chorus, an instant classic.

Crack The Case is even better – subtle, candid, succinct – a song only Goldsmith could have written. Tim de Lisle