TWO years ago, the often-overlooked Canadian singer-songwriter producer marked a change of mood with Long Player Late Bloomer, which, in his low-key terms, was a shiny pop record born on a surge of love.

His new album is a more familiar downbeat affair, although he has not returned to the old lack of confidence, instead taking the longer romantic view on She Does My Heart Good or turning positively soppy on The Morning Light. Sneak Out The Back Door is a lively account of dodging the limelight, while If Only Avenue is a lovely hymn to regret.

Mitchell Froom produces and arranges with his accustomed good taste, calling on strings to fill out Sexsmith’s wispy vulnerability, and even some Dixieland woodwind on Me Myself And Wine, a drinking song in which the drinker seems to be kidding himself. If you haven’t ‘met’ Ron yet, here is your perfect excuse.