Ben Beaumont-Thomas's album of the week
The centre of his palette has always been folk-rock but the edges have held other imaginatively mixed colours: the vocal to his 2007 song That's That, a tale of youthful romance leading to a job as a toilet cleaner in a Baltimore nightclub, could have been crooned over pedal steel by a mid-century country star; his 2009 duet with Black, Dreams-Come-True-Girl, sounds like it's been beamed from a homecoming dance in 1955. Amid his poetic, sometimes gnomic lyrics would come real-world details: in 2012 he told whistleblower Chelsea Manning's story in song, while New Earth – from his previous and, until now, best album Heartmind – addressed Elon Musk, heralding a bright post-apocalyptic world where 'orchids mock him, spread so wide / With a lurid flavour his foul name could not hide'.
That particularity and plurality is all over Interior Live Oak, full of dreamscapes anchored in real-world settings (New York's George Washington Bridge, San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid), and backings that are both classically American but also have their own weird back-country accent.
The album opens with Priestess, an ode to a late friend that harks back to McCombs's California youth, again with specific detail amid strange painterly settings: 'In our seminary of contradictions / Ella Fitzgerald, thizz and whippits / you were our priestess.' It's core McCombs mode, grooving along in a slow lupine lope, rather like his best-known song Bum Bum Bum. It gives us the first tear-jerking moment, too, as McCombs yearns to hear his friend sing John Prine's Angel from Montgomery one more time.
There are more tears to be shed on piano-driven ballad I Never Dream About Trains, in which our narrator affects not to care about a lost love, his protests underscoring the devastation: 'I never dream about you curled up in that old army jacket / On the sand in Pescadero / I never lie in my songs / And I never dream about trains.' You can imagine Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra singing it, or another waltzing number, Strawberry Moon. The very best of the ballads is Missionary Bell, a song whose melody is so simple and expressive you can scarcely believe it hasn't always existed. The bells of the title sound across a landscape of 'wild fennel in the wetlands, nightfall hurling down', as McCombs again considers death and the people it leaves behind.
The album's long runtime means that these all feel wonderfully unhurried, and it gives McCombs space for other expansive, ruminative songs. Asphodel putters along at the pace of the Modern Lovers' Roadrunner, considering yet another dead friend as McCombs travels through a mystical bardo; Who Removed the Cellar Door? has the twang and wide-angled lens of spaghetti westerns; Lola Montez Danced the Spider Dance is a slow ritualistic stomp with the nihilism and dry heat of a Lorca play.
Diamonds in the Mine is a grownup existential lullaby you might sing to a troubled partner; Peace has an acoustic guitar riff of extraordinary dexterity and prettiness; Juvenile, a funny song that throws two fingers up at soulless ad men, is powered by a Devo-style organ line you'll be humming all week. If anything, as the title track's nervy Dylanesque fuzz-rock brings everything to an end, 74 minutes doesn't feel remotely long enough with McCombs on this sort of form.
Llondon Actress – Moscow'I'm a dragonfly, you're a cockroach!' The 11th single this year from the young UK rapper-producer delivers on its boasts: a prowling cloud rap track with a repeated vocal melody pulsating through the fug. His new EP Billionaire Supervillain has also just been released.
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SICK of disappointing dates or boring bedroom action? For countless women, the thought of another uninspired romp is enough to make them scream into their pillows. But what if the most extreme solution was also the smartest? Forget waiting for romance — increasing numbers of women are now taking matters (and pleasure) into their own hands, by paying for exactly what they want, when they want it. In fact, one in 20 married women over 50 are now so unhappy with their sex lives, they would consider turning to male escorts to spice things up. It's not just fed-up wives, either — younger women are also ditching dating apps, swapping swipes for guaranteed satisfaction with gigolos. Type 'male escort' into TikTok and thousands of videos pop up, with clean-cut hunks explaining why smart, successful women fork out for their services. And far from keeping it quiet, young women are now openly sharing their escort experiences. 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From the hundreds of men on offer, she selected a well-groomed man in his thirties called James. 'NO GAME-PLAYING' 'Since I didn't have a work do or wedding to attend, I looked into 'boyfriend experiences' — basically male escorts who'll take you on dates and act the part, no questions asked,' she says. 'James was tall, dark and handsome and we had similar interests, such as good food and loving animals. 'We discussed fees — escorts typically cost from £220 per hour — and boundaries, such as what's included, what's not. 'It was strangely reassuring and James was clear, polite and respectful.' Laura arranged to meet her date in a local gastropub, but admits she was a bag of nerves beforehand. She says: 'I almost didn't go in. "But James instantly put me at ease, asking lots of questions and being friendly and kind. "It felt like a normal date — except I knew exactly how the night would go. 'There was no game-playing, no awkward 'will-he-won't-he?' tension. 'And the fee even covered the meal, so it was like I was out with a guy who'd paid for dinner, too.' Laura says her first escort experience was like a 'typical first date', with a kiss on the cheek at the end of the night, not red-hot passion. 'I didn't want to be worrying about sex the first time,' she explains. 'But after that I just booked what I fancied that day. 'And every time we did 'do the deed', it certainly lived up to expectations.' Since that first date, Laura has paid for more than ten experiences — sometimes because she's wanted male company, other times because she's craved a night of satisfying sex. Escorts tend to be experienced, attentive and entirely focused on my pleasure — a rare combo these days Laura Fox 'Some nights end with a goodbye hug, others with fireworks,' she smiles. 'Honestly, sex with an escort is often better than a one-night stand. "Escorts tend to be experienced, attentive and entirely focused on my pleasure — a rare combo these days. 'And you skip all the usual emotional admin that comes with dating. 'There are no mixed signals, no awkward texts the next day, no-one nicking your duvet at 3am.' Given all the benefits, Laura says it's no wonder so many ordinary women are paying for pleasure. 'I totally get why more and more of them are doing this,' she says. 'It's not just a man's world any more — we're taking control of our pleasure, our time, and our expectations. It's win-win.' 'NO PRESSURE' Despite the considerable costs, Laura plans to continue using escorts until she meets Mr Right. And despite her glowing reviews of the men she's hired, she's never been in danger of getting emotionally attached. She says: 'I guess some people do, but I don't because one of the reasons I started paying for escorts was because I wasn't ready for a serious relationship.' Like Laura, Natasha Greenwood, 34, from London, says booking escorts has been a game-changer. The PR executive, whose last long-term relationship ended seven years ago, reveals: 'For me, engaging with male escorts has become a way to explore my sexuality and seek companionship on my own terms. 'I turned to escorts after growing tired of the dating scene — boring men, boring sex and endless swiping on apps. "So I thought: 'Why not?'' Despite feeling on edge in the build-up to her first encounter, Natasha says her jitters were short-lived. 'Surprisingly, I felt very relaxed and enjoyed the whole experience,' she says. 'I had to pay a ten per cent deposit up front, which felt a bit strange. "But this was to cover the dinner. 'Afterwards, we went to a hotel for sex. It wasn't cheap — £300 per hour — but it was worth every penny.' For Natasha, who says passion dwindled two years into her last relationship, getting her needs met between the sheets is a huge plus of using gigolos. 'When I'm with a male escort, I feel free to ask for exactly what I want in bed. "There's no shame, no second-guessing and no pressure to be anything but myself. I can be bolder, kinkier and more experimental. 'I get to enjoy sex with a hot, confident man, with no strings attached. It's like dating on steroids.' Natasha admits there is still a stigma around women 'and particularly black women' using escorts, but stresses there's nothing sleazy about the practice. 'I appreciate the professionalism and discretion these men bring,' she explains. 'It allows me to fully enjoy the moment without the emotional minefield that can come with relationships. 'I keep male escorts on rotation, too. It's like having a fun new plaything every couple of months.' Using escorts doesn't come cheap and Natasha is spending less on holidays and other luxuries. Her friends and family are well aware of her escort use, as she often hires them as a 'plus one' for events or dinners. But she prefers to enjoy her escort experiences away from her own home. 'SEXUAL FREEDOM' 'We always end the night at a hotel. I prefer it that way,' she says. 'My space is mine and the fun stays just where I want it.' While some may raise eyebrows at the idea of so many women enjoying escorting services, both Laura and Natasha say that when it comes to intimacy, paying for what they desire has opened up a new world of sexual freedom. 'Everyone has the right to seek pleasure, intimacy and connection in ways that feel right to them,' says Natasha. 'This isn't about being desperate or giving up on love — it's reclaiming my pleasure and prioritising fulfilling, joyful experiences, in and out of the bedroom.' Names have been changed BUT REMEMBER: STAY SAFE SAFETY should always come first, says Sun sexpert Georgie Culley. When booking an escort, stick to reputable agencies. Too-good-to-be-true prices are a red flag. Generally, escorts from legitimate agencies will cost £150-plus per hour. Before meeting, arrange a video call first, so you can verify who they are and set clear boundaries. Ask to see their ID, too. Always meet in a public place such as a restaurant or bar first. And let a trusted friend know where you'll be and who you're meeting. Avoid sharing personal details like your home address until you feel comfortable. Never transfer money in advance, unless it's through a trusted agency platform. If you do make it to the bedroom, always practise safe sex. Due to the nature of their job, escorts will likely be sleeping with lots of people, so always use condoms. Most importantly, trust your gut. If anything feels off, walk away. Your safety and comfort are key.
