Stornoway’s second album, Tales From Terra Firma, is an album of stories – birth, death, marriage, coming of age: The Big Stuff. The songs were mostly written in a camper van in land-locked Oxford but on listening, the yearning for ad- venture and the freedom of the coast and wild places is palpable.

As is true of classic songwriting partnerships, lyricist Brian Briggs’ eloquence coupled with his crystalline voice unite with Jon Ouin’s stunning arrangements and alchemise to form a musical mirror. Tales From Terra Firma reflects powerful life experiences, the great outdoors and the passing of time, which is a major theme of the album. And with that, Stornoway have produced a record that marks a new sophistication in com- positional and, in particular, lyrical qualities, while still retaining the charm of their debut that so many fell in love with.