Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott: Double act with wit and warmth

At this stage, it's safe to say that Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott's reunion has been a success. The former Beautiful South colleagues rejoined forces in 2014 and three albums in, the pair's rapport continues to thrive with another enjoyable clutch of pop-rock tunes. Heaton's waggish humour emerges on the lyrics of songs like People Like Us, while Blackwater Banks is a heart-on-sleeve love letter to Ireland. Throughout, Abbott's velvety voice remains the perfect foil to his nasal croon, whether it's alongside the shimmering strings of If I May or the rambunctiously enjoyable The Lord is a White Con. The nudge-nudge-wink-wink element of Heaton's lyrical prowess, as heard on Your Bit of Stuff, occasionally overpowers the more subtle numbers, but overall this is reliably entertaining stuff. Paulheaton.co.uk