Fans of Alexisonfire have had much to shout about this year. There was the comeback tour, including a killer set that we caught at Reading Festival, then there was the news that the reformation was not a one off. But now it's time to tone things down a bit and take in some of Dallas Green's alter ego City And Colour and the upcoming album If I Should Go Before You.

If you've been on board the City And Colour ship since day one then there'll be very few surprises here. From the first words of the opening track, Woman, Dallas' vocals are spectacular and from there the album picks you up and carries you along on a wave of euphoric soft rock. The first stage of that journey is a 9 minute track that really does feel like a journey. The opening notes of the guitar tell a tale of what is to come, before a solitary drum beats and the vocals start. Closing your eyes and listening to this track gives the feeling of floating around on the ocean, not a care in the world can be given whilst this song is playing. Once the riff really kicks in that feeling changes from floating on the ocean to tearing down rapids, with Green's vocals evoking a sense of urgency that is confusing for the ears as the tempo slows again.

It's really hard to pick out standout tracks on this album as there is so much going on throughout. Mizzy C has a wonderful upbeat appeal that with vocals that will ring true with many people. Following that is title track If I Should Go Before You, unsurprisingly this song isn't as upbeat. The feeling around this track is wholeheartedly that of loss and wondering. It's not as doom and gloom as it sounds though, the whole track is wonderfully crafted and has some of the nicest vocals you're likely to come across this year.