The official website for Stuart Warwick says that “In his spare time he writes music” which is quite an odd description of a musician considering that it is meant to be their profession. Not so for Stuart Warwick, who’s day job is actually as Professor of Applied Anthropology at the London School of Economics.

The Ordeal is a wonderful record. Deeply personal lyrics glide over Warwick’s sparse music to fantastic effect. Songs often containing no more than a piano or acoustic guitar produced effectively allow his beautiful voice to truly be heard. As harrowing words about death and suicide permeate the album, it’s as if Stuart Warwick has committed his very own state of catharsis to record.

The Ordeal is the best use of spare time I have ever come across.