Michelle Shiers on September 24th, 2014

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Devon, England’s indie-folk songsmith and surf-enthusiast Ben Howard is due to release his sophomore album titled “I Forget Where We Were” on Oct. 20 via Island Records. Since the release of Howard’s 2011 debut “Every Kingdom,” he has performed at Glastonbury, has won two Brit Awards, has been nominated for the Mercury Prize and has soothed his growing number of doe-eyed fans with two follow-up EPs – “Ben Howard Live” and “The Burgh Island EP.” Howard, whose art of sincere and reflective alt-folk has matured, is looking for a more eclectic direction with “I Forget Where We Were.” Perfectly designed for coffee-shop soundtracks, his intimate tracks can be easily shuffled between Damien Rice and Bon Iver. “End Of The Affair” is stripped down and soulfully delicate. While Howard’s songs may seem sparse, he can still deliver weighty and emotive hooks. A former journalism student, Howard chooses his words carefully and its shows throughout his poetic confessionals. The album’s title track builds powerfully with Howard’s finger-picking and harmonious croon, “Hello love, my invincible friend.” While he may reject attention, Howard is sure to become submerged in more consideration across the pond following his sold-out show Oct. 27 at the El Rey.

||| Stream: “I Forget Where We Were” and “End Of The Affair”

||| Live: Ben Howard performs Oct. 27 at the El Rey.

||| Previously: Ben Howard at Coachella 2013.

Photo by Tom Oxley