Grayson Gilmour

Even more exciting than the re-emergence of legendary New Zealand label Flying Nun is that it isn't just a home for old, familiar faces. Instead, it's interested in doing the same thing it did many moons ago with the likes of the Clean and the Chills ― bring new and emerging artists from Down Under to a worldwide audience. That said, Grayson Gilmour isn't actually a newcomer; he's been making albums since his teenage years both by himself and as part of So So Modern. But No Constellation is quite the leap forward. He's embracing his inner Sufjan with abstract songs all about sweeping, intricate arrangements. While the mix of piano and many layers of Gilmour's voice is always interesting, his songs have a tendency to get more abstract as the seconds tick away and if he could rein that in his shortage of ideas wouldn't be so obvious. As it is, his youthful exuberance and lack of focus have created an album that frequently hints at greatness without ever getting there.