Maverick Sabre – Don't Forget To Look Up (Vinyl)

The fourth album from Michael Stafford, the London-born, Wexford-raised singer who has spent over a decade carving out one of the most distinctive voices in soul, released in 2022 on his own FAMM imprint. Fully independent and produced largely with Linden Jay, it's his most electronic-leaning record, a set of minimalist, intricately arranged songs about relationships, healing and getting by.

The delicate duet with Demae on Not Easy Love and the fireside warmth of Can't Be Wrong show the subtle end of his register, Good Man swirls around soulful choral harmonies, and the closing Get Down brings in none other than Nile Rodgers on guitar for one last dance. Sabre's lyrical phrasing remains entirely his own, that unmistakable blend of Irish ballad singing and London soul that's earned him collaborations with everyone from Jorja Smith to Chronixx. Pressed as a double 12" at 45rpm, and it sounds like it.