Where the opposite sex are concerned, even those with the gift of the gab can get lost for words. It's reassuring then, that while 'Could Well Be In' lays bare the anxiety of a first date, this joyous release from Mike Skinner's phenomenally successful second album proves that one of the most eloquent voices of our generation still has plenty to say.

Fizzing with nervous energy, 'Could Well Be In' may mark the beginning of Mike and Simone's relationship, but the rocky road of getting to know someone you like is one we've all walked before. From the boisterous swagger of 'Fit but You Know It', to the

heartbreaking honesty of 'Dry Your Eyes' and the bashed up beauty of 'Blinded by the Lights', using a uniquely personal situation to strike a universal chord is what Skinner does best. If the staggering strength of 'A Grand Don't Come for Free' lies in each track's ability to stand as a modern classic in its on right, 'Could Well Be In' is no exception.

Gentle piano chords, subtle strings and a barely there beat allow Skinner's flying, (and at times pointedly faltering) delivery to shine. Whether fiddling with the ashtray, or peeling the label off his beer, he manages to convey a complex array of emotions in the simplest of gestures. While his everyday preoccupations may keep his feet firmly on the ground, 'Could Well Be In' is yet another example of his astonishing ability to fashion something extraordinary from the ordinary - which is what keeps Mike Skinner head and shoulders above the rest.

'Could Well Be In' is released on November 29th via 679 Recordings.

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