An English singer-songwriter backed by a band, the group swings from angelic to darker carnivalesque. Houghton might be folk, or anti-folk. Very interesting female vocals, intriguing lyrics. If you like Nico, Vashti Bunyan, Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling, you’ll only have scratched the surface. Add a little Florence & The Machine, Judy Collins, Kate Bush or... Tori Amos, juiced up by collaboration? Other reviewers have described a “cosmic folk cloud” from the Hooves, and there is definitely a psychedelic edge here, blanketed by awesomeoness. A must-listen. Every track is good, although 10 requires a vigilant hand due to FCCs. I have this crazy feeling while listening in which I think of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. That may just be me. Favorite tracks 1, 2, 6, 7, 10
FCC warning: final track (10) “Fuck Off”

**1. Sweet Tooth Bird: great lyrics. Female vocals, sweeping momentum, trumpet, drums, something of an epic feel. Not your typical folk. Almost a grander fairy tale edge, but not in a saccharine sense at all.
*2. Huskier, smokier vocals. More intimate feel. Chorus at 1:23 brings more of the sweeping scope back in. Hint of banjo! Drum + banjo modernist folk.
3. Soft, a wee bit more girly but still has plenty of drive. “These gold demons, may they take flight.”
4. Great lyrics
5. Harpsichord!
*6. Echoey, older-school folk. Has a hint of a Celtic style, Judy Collins, guitars. Plucking on a violin or the equivalent.
*7. Driving, sunny folk+. Versatile, up-tempo.
8. Joni Mitchell type, stripped down piano and vocals to start
9. More of a percussive beat, some electric guitar
**FCC WARNING: 10: piano/harpisochord, layered female vocals, up-beat, creepy gnome laughter in the background? orchestral strings, super fun hooting harmony with a dingle-y fairground edge of spookiness. Carefull playing would work on this track -- first half is FCC safe but then.... At 2:40, a long period of silence and is followed by: hidden bonus track! Much harder-edged, electric guitars, clapping, and copious use of “Fuck Off.”