Woman, Polydor ***

Few surprises await those who swoon and sway to Rhye's sensual, intimate, emotional pop. For a start, the person behind that smoky, sultry, Sade-like feminine croon is a bloke. Furthermore, the gender- bending is the work of Mike Milosh, a Canadian musician best known for a string of beautiful electronic releases. With Danish songwriter and producer Ryan Hannibal, Milosh makes up Rhye, a duo whose debut album contains some fine examples of how to hone minimal r'n'b and pop into new, beguiling shapes. The Fall, for instance, uses a simple piano riff as the jump-off point for its adventures, while One of Those Summer Days turns a limited palette into something triumphant. The dulcet, melancholic, smooth sounds and the superbly pitched timbre of Milosh's voice ensure you stay tuned to this small hours opus. rhyemusic.com

Download:The Fall, Open