Artist of the Day: Withered Hand

Five years since his full-length debut, and nearly 18 months since his last release of any kind, news Dan Willson - aka Withered Hand - is on the comeback trail could not be more welcome. One of Britain's best-loved cult artists, the Edinburgh based indie folk musician finally emerged last month with a new song, "Black Tambourine," precursing the announcement of second album New Gods, due in February. Overseen by prominent Scottish producer Tony Doogan, the record promises a polished and expanded sound relative to previous works, with the lead track embodying this aesthetic shift. A streamlined, jangly gem of the highest order, its style is reflected by guest contributions from indie pop royalty in The Vaselines' Eugene Kelly and Pam Berry of, you guessed it, Black Tambourine - though crucially it's a step which feels natural as opposed to abrupt. With members of Belle & Sebastian, Frightened Rabbit and King Creosote also set to appear, this collaborative spirit looks to have carried over to an LP which, if time in the the works is any indicator, should be one of 2014's early highlights.

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New Gods is released in February through Fortuna Pop Records (UK/EU) and Slumberland Records (US/Canada). You can stream "Black Tambourine" here.

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