Avocado Chip is an ambitious concept album from London troubadour Ben Sommers. Previously the masthead of underrated three-piece Mozzy Green, Sommers is nothing if not intriguing. As a performer, he is darkly charismatic; as a writer, wonderfully imaginative; and with Avocado Chip, he lets that creativity run riot. We meet the characters inhabiting the mythical town of Starving Jane, an immediate hint that Sommers has a particularly dystopian vision to dispense. But like all good tales, this one retains a measure of hope in the face of adversity. However strong the shackles might be, there is always the potential of release, even if it means waiting for a fabled spaceship to land and whisk the townsfolk off heavenwards.

Opening with the gypsy-meets-drinking-song strains of “A Town Called Starving Jane”, Sommers launches into a song-speak narrative that could have been delivered by the Artful Dodger in a parallel-world Oliver. The story development takes in a raft of musical styles delivered by a fine balance of acoustic, sometimes antique instruments and electronica. There are pretty tunes like the synth-driven “Submarine, Submarine” and the starker piano ballad “Elephant You”, and harsher electronics employed on songs like “Every Flower Dies Someday” and the strident rocker “Devil’s Day”. Sommers’ vocal delivery is often remarkably close to that of early Bowie with slight distortion added that gives it an otherworldly charm.

“Helios”, about the coming of that aforementioned spacecraft, is a glorious workout, taking in the kind of landscape once inhabited by Genesis in their Foxtrot days. Starting with a gentle melody underpinned by pulsing keys and lilting guitar, it builds through the unnerving mantra of “Have you come to take us home?” to an electronic crescendo resolved by a lone pipe and drum. The closing piece “Digital Sunrise” is another jewel, a glorious six-minute sign off after an amazing journey. This is a bold, compelling work, not always easy to listen to but always worthwhile.

Essential Tracks: “Digital Sunrise”, “Helios”, “Elephant You”