Final Fantasy – He Poos Clouds (Tomlab)

Once you get past this album's thoroughly off-putting title and discover that FF, aka Owen Pallet, is in fact The Arcade Fire's string arranger, He Poos Clouds makes more sense. Pallet's tricks are two: he plays violin with often jaw-dropping sensitivity and emotion, and he makes fruitful use of a looping pedal. This album adds an elegant string quartet to his already sumptuously layered violin tracks and reedy vox – an esoteric treat for the ears.

Charlie Ivens