Australian singer-songwriter Josef Salvat came to prominence in Europe with his polite, advert-ready cover of Rihanna’s hit, Diamonds. It’s that song’s narrative of giving yourself completely to someone that permeates much of Salvat’s own songwriting, specifically on the gorgeous, radio-friendly sunburst of Open Season. In fact he has quite a knack for dynamics – his rich croon launching the Years & Years-esque Paradise skywards, or exploding Shoot and Run’s twitchy electronic textures into a widescreen epic. As the album glides prettily along you hanker for a slight tear in the silk, but then the lovelorn closer Better Word flutters down like a feather and all is forgiven.
