William The Conqueror ★★★★ Maverick Thinker CHRYSALIS. CD/DL/LP

Final part of Ruarri Joseph’s epic autobiographical triptych. Three is clearly William The Conqueror’s magic number. The third album in a loose trilogy, Maverick Thinker is also the Cornish threepiece’s third album in just over three years. While central Conqueror Ruarri Joseph awaits publication of his debut novel, Maverick Thinker brings us up to date on his life and times. Now distanced from the electrified Americana that encased 2018’s Proud Disturber Of The Peace, the trio of Joseph, bassist Naomi Holmes and drummer Harry Harding have hit on a deeply grooved talking swamp-grunge blues. Scrutinising his suitability as an adult and glancing at mortality, Joseph’s halfspoken lyrics glide across slinking rhythms and fuzzy, fizzing guitar, interspersed by the likes of Quiet Life’s seabreeze piano melody. Maverick Thinker draws the listener into a very personal world and rewards them with enlightenment.

Andy Fyfe