SO the Stone Roses have delivered their first new material in 21 years, now up comes Richard Ashcroft with his first album in six. Actually both releases could be from 1995. All For One (Roses) and lead singles Hold On and This Is How It Feels (Ashcroft) have that really authentic, baggy Madchester feel. Yes, alright, The Verve were from Wigan but you get the point.

Very pleasing is seeing Wil Malone back on string arranging duties, hopefully less litigious this time round. Ashcroft's singular voice aside, he was largely responsible for creating The Verve's distinctive soundscape.

But is it any good you ask. Of course it is. One day people will wake up and attribute national treasure status to Richard Ashcroft. Put simply he is one of the great singers of our time, effortlessly exuding the shade wearing, LA bound English rock star image. Take lessons Mr Turner.

Listening to Ashcroft sing is always mesmerising. Shuffle to any track on These People and it's like drowning in honey. Malone's soaring glissandi make it even more so. His music may not have moved on from Britpop, but so what. Everything here sounds like Bitter Sweet Symphony, Lucky Man or The Drugs Don't Work and three cheers for that.

The Verve's style is a particularly rich vein to mine and because these are previously unheard 're-works' there's that same wonderful sensation of hearing Urban Hymns for the first time.

Apparently the Syrian conflict spurred Ashcroft back into action. Drawled vocals are his trademark and with no lyrics included, we'll have to take his word for that.

But no matter. The Stone Roses are back, Richard Ashcroft is back and finally, as the sun begins to shine on this bloody awful year of lost luminaries, all is well with the world.