After the phenomenal success of White Ladder, it was always going to be difficult for David Gray to produce a follow-up that wouldn't seem disappointing by comparison. Even so, the overriding impression you get from A New Day At Midnight is that the honorary Irishman would have been better off taking a few more risks. Recorded in the same tiny home studio as its record-breaking predecessor, this is a solid but unadventurous collection that sticks closely to Gray's tried and tested formula of gentle guitars and introspective lyrics, enhanced by some carefully-chosen electronic effects and a voice that constantly shuffles from croon to growl. It's all very tastefully done - but whether the trick is too familiar by now, or his new songs simply aren't as strong, Gray just isn't as compelling a presence this time round. In fairness, some of the content here has an agreeably dark edge, and the album contains three or four potential singles that may ultimately leave Gray with another huge money-spinner on his hands. But by his former standards, A New Day At Midnight is distinctly average fare.

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