There is a pop renaissance going on in New Zealand. It’s official (well, The Times did a big feature on the kiwi scene, which is at least a vindication of sorts). Now is the most promising time for that country’s pop future since 27 May 1958, when Neil Finn was born, and Lawrence Arabia’s debut album is a central cog for this new community of artists.

Formerly of the Reduction Agents (who also produced Ryan McPhun of The Ruby Suns) and The Brunettes, Lawrence Arabia (a.k.a James Milne) is something of a pop genius, albeit in a deftly odd way – as much as this album owes a debt to The Beatles there is a certain Syd Barrett eccentricity too. Songs like ‘Everyone’s Had Dinner With Rabbit’ and the fantastically wobbly ‘Thistle Tends To Single’ give the false impression of an artist in love with farce, when in fact ‘Talk About Good Times’ and ‘The Thinnest Air’ proves that his talents run far and wide, shallow and deep. Fantastic.

Barnaby Smith