That said, the follow-up to debut album Dead & Born & Grown does include occasional synthesisers, drums and, yes, gritty electric guitar - just enough to add some light and joy to what could have been a rather melancholic offering.
Still, it's hard to get too down when voices mingle and soar so confidently.
• The Staves. If I Was. Warner Music.
• Four stars (out of five)
Single download: Black and White
For those who like: Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell
- Shane Gilchrist