Lullabies for the 21st CenturyReekus ****

UK-born Duncan Maitland has previous form in the Irish pop- gem stakes. Following years of doing whatever low-key musicians do to earn a buck, he's finally released his solo debut album, and if there's a better floating-down-stream pop record this year then I'll eat my kaleidoscopic hat. True, there's nothing here you haven't heard before from the likes of The Beatles, The Beach Boys and XTC (not to mention Jellyfish, Cheap Trick and Crowded House), there's no doubt that Maitland knows his power pop. Songs such as Terry the Toad, Handbirds, Up to You, Supermarket Dream, Cry Me to Sleepand Insect Under the Stoneseep the kind of dreamy, creamy pop melodies that play "where did I hear that before?" games with your head. Authentic, meticulously crafted pop is rare, but it overflows here with added acid drops of wit, charm and weird images. See duncanmaitland.com

Download tracks: Supermarket Dream, Insect Under the Stone