Around the time of their debut, Lowgold were being touted as “the new Coldplay”. Then, as Chris Martin’s bunch went inexplicably stratospheric, singer/songwriter Darren Lee Ford and band disappeared without trace?until now. Welcome To Winners lacks the killer neo-MOR hooks of the first album, instead building momentum with the slo-mo ache of “Quiet Times” and “Means To An End”. The air of weary melancholy is sometimes a little overbearing, but Ford’s smooth, perfectly poised tone eventually proves irresistible. Elliott Smith associate Tony Lash produces, adding subtle electronic colour to “Keep Your Gun Dry” and “Clear The Skies”.