Willy Mason has packed a lot into his short life. He’s left home, released a critically-acclaimed debut, and returned to the roost to take up the position of breadwinner, and it shows. Instead of sounding 22, his actual age, on the follow-up to 2004’s Where the Humans Eat, he comes across at least twice that. That “new Bob Dylan” tag can add years to you.

The Dylan comparison isn’t the only thing weighing Mason down. “Crazy stuff”, both personal and political, dominates his waking hours. Just like his younger brother in fact. Sam Mason, who also supports his brother on drums live and on record, is the artist behind the Quentin-Crisp-on-downers painting which adorns the album’s cover.

Indeed, If The Ocean Gets Rough is a family affair all right. Willy’s ma, Jemima James, a folk singer in her own right, contributes backing vocals. And cousin Zak Borden fiddles away on the mandolin.

Mason doesn’t sound like much else being released these days. Instead, with his reverence for the blues and country, he appears a man out of time. No wonder he’s such a favourite with Uncut, a magazine notorious for using dead artists as cover stars.

Willy Mason has packed a lot into his life, yes siree. Despite his apparent world-weariness, he can pack a lot more into the remainder of his days. Willy may be down, but he’s far from out.

(4/5)