Paul Walker - Dragon Song EP

Gravel-throated Petty-alike Paul Walker seems to have a knack for the understated, and the brevity of Dragon Song's stripped-down folk belies a wealth of similar acoustic bluesmen. 'Window Shopping's unassuming protest recalls the most typical Dylanesque commentary, while 'Hollywood' channels an imagined Malkmus/Van Morrison collaboration, circa 'Astral Weeks'. For such an introspective approach, Walker's topics are universal and the mid-life distrust of closing track 'No Kinda Life' - "not 21 anymore; I got the young men pushing past me through the door" - echoes the sighing sentiments of Elbow's 'Starlings', while 'Eyes by Michelangelo' tackles Weller's 'You Do Something to Me' armed only with a battered six-string. Walker's tantalising, if frustratingly brief, effort's an exciting precursor to future releases, and should he expand the horizons of his already appealing lo-fi sound, it'll likely signal one veteran with a flair vastly superior to the young pretenders on his tail.

Out now.

www.myspace.com/paulwalkersolo