MARK Nevin made his breakthrough early. His song Perfect was impossible to avoid in 1987, propelling Fairground Attraction to the top of the charts and that tune into our collective consciousness.

That song makes a fresh appearance here, with a laidback New Orleans-style version. The Welshman has been prolific as a songwriter for hire for the likes of Morrisey, but this is only his fourth solo record. It is a mix of old and new, including Kiteflyers Hill which was originally recorded by Eddi Reader.

Each song has depth and subtlety, and the guitar playing is warm and unshowy. The rub with the album is in part Nevin’s voice, heading towards a Dylan croon cum rasp. and the mid-tempo numbers which meld together. Refreshingly honest and mostly upbeat, Beautiful Guitars is a rare example of a middle-aged man not wallowing in regret but gracefully facing the future and reclaiming older songs for his own. Quietly life affirming.