WHILE Lau's frontman is more often associated with experimental folk, this solo offering confirms Kris Drever's pedigree as a traditional singer and guitarist. Nothing complex here, just lush open-tuned accompaniment for a voice more heartbreaking than an unclaimed lottery winning ticket.

Without the usual backing of accordion and fiddle, this is very much a singer-songwriter's album. Loneliness and home sickness figure prominently, perhaps not surprisingly for a gigging musician who lives in Shetland, but spends much of his time far away.

There's a folk club intimacy to If Wishes Were Horses that Lau's diverse approach often lacks. Tempting to say more warmth too, certainly in the gorgeous guitar playing, if not in the bleak-as-a-Lerwick winter lyrics.

Capernaum, with its infectious, pounding riff is probably the standout track, despite its impossible to fathom lyrics. Grat, ararat or rede brae anyone? Elsewhere Drever is easier to understand "I wish that politicians' ties would tighten up when they told lies," being the most satisfying of lines in this most satisfying of albums.