God Help The Girl

It’s looking less and less likely that we’ll be getting a new album anytime soon, but thankfully is here with the next best thing. is a project of B&S frontman Stuart Murdoch, who came up with the idea back in 2004. Collaborating with a number of (usually female) singers, the project has created a “story set to music”. Back in my day, we used to call that an album, but I suppose that doesn’t appeal to the youth of today.

The album is mostly made up of new material, although reworked versions of Belle and Sebastian songs Funny Little Frog and Act of the Apostle have found their way into the mix. Various voices contribute to these songs, but it is little known Scottish singer Catherine Ireton that provides the vocals for the majority. And what a voice it is. Every word through Come Monday Night is clearly defined, her voice rising from gentle vulnerability to world weariness in the course of three minutes.

God Help The Girl will be released on June 22 via Rough Trade.