Artist Jose Gonzalez

A first listen to Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez’s 2005 debut, Veneer, seems to lump him in with the class of Nick Drake wannabes that have been melancholically plucking their guitars for the past decade—though, notably, he happens to be one of the best in the genre. Last year’s In Our Nature moves well beyond Drake aping, with heartfelt climatic vocal delivery and songs that have a substantially more low-key pop feel. In fact, it’s much more reminiscent of Cat Stevens, but with more impressive guitar work. 

Updated 11/19/2009