Metalhorse vinyl

Billy Nomates has been on quite a journey since seeing a Sleaford Mods show in her native East Midlands persuaded her to return to making music. Her first appearance, guesting on the Sleafords' 'Mork & Mindy' single, and Geoff Barrow-produced debut album were definitely hailing from the rough and ready school of scrappy, DIY post-punk. Metalhorse, her third long player to date, is an altogether more mature affair, leaning on the influence of her live band - bass player Mandy Clarke (KT Tunstall, The Go! Team) and drummer Liam Chapman (Rozi Plain, BMX Bandits) - to delve further into blues, folk and piano-led compositions. A concept album revolving around an abandoned funfair as a metaphor for life itself - "some rides are nice to get on and some rides aren't" she says - it's a fascinating listen and not, perhaps, what you might have been expecting.