Listen here

TRACK: The Old Lover.

WHO: Adam Gnade.

WHAT: Spellbinding storytelling.

THE HYPE: 'The vocals shout and proclaim in surreal tones like the spooky hollers of a Southern Baptist preacher inside a swampland chapel.' - Last Fm

WE SAY: Sometimes you come across a new artistic concept that is so simplistically genius you wonder how the hell someone thought of it. That's the kind of awe and bewilderment I felt when I discovered Adam Gnade.

He makes what he calls "talking songs" in which he insightfully and emotionally delivers you a fascinating tale of life and all its intricacies. It's very poetic and moving - so much so that you find yourself so engaged that you're left wanting more and eager to know what will happen to the characters next.

Handily, unlike most musicians, Gnade can satisfy that yearning, For he writes books as well as songs - and both those mediums carry the same themes, storylines and characters.

The Old Lover is majestically minimalist and folky. Gnade talks along to an acoustic guitar, while his passionate procrastinating lends the songs a distinctive bluesy vibe. Within two lines you'll find yourself hooked and a fan. Now all you need to do is immerse yourself in the other songs and the book to continue your journey!

IF YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW ONE THING: Adam's first novel Hymn California is out now through DutchMoney Books.

WHERE CAN I GET MY HANDS ON IT: You can buy The Old Lover on Run Hide Retreat Surrender through Adam's MySpace or www.adamgnade.com/ordering . His material will also be available at gigs he plays around the UK this November.

FIND MORE www.myspace.com/gnade

Explore Music

• CD Reviews

• Live Reviews

• Classical

Editor's choice

• Alicia Keys lets rip
• Streep and Baldwin get complicated
• Guy Ritchie on Sherlock Holmes