EmeraldsRocket Girl ****

If anyone's reputation precedes them, it is surely that of Robin Guthrie, co-founder (with Liz Fraser) of the wonderful dream- pop band Cocteau Twins. Since their demise in 1998, Guthrie has gone on to produce, engineer and collaborate on a variety of styles, all of them underpinned by his seamless and dynamic fusion of electronically treated music (mostly guitar and piano) and simplistic, compelling melodies. Connecting stylistically with Guthrie's previous collaborative works with electronica/contemporary classical composer Harold Budd, Emeraldsis a 10-track swathe of the kind of electronica you thought had disappeared with Ulrich Schnauss. Tracks such as Warmed by the Winter Sun, Turn Together Burn Together, The Little Light Fadesand Radioladisplay as sure- footed a grip on the genre as any you're likely to hear. See robin guthrie.com

Download tracks: Radiola, Warmed by the Winter Sun, Turn Together Burn Together, The Little Light Fades