As a side step from his synthpop band Silver Factory Superstars, singer/songwriter Mark Johnson releases his eagerly anticipated eclectic solo album ‘Unrequited’. Never a conscious move to make a themed album Mark noticed that once the album was finished most of the songs followed the same thread of unrequited love. An exception to this however is the emotional ‘Don’t Let It Drop’ which was written at the time of his Grandads death and will bring a tear to the coldest of hearts. ‘Unrequited’ shows Mark in a reflective thoughtful mood. From the Pink Floyd-esque ‘Softly’, the rockabilly ‘Rip the Town Up’ and the indie disco of ‘Pop Love’ this collection of songs shows his versatility and depth. Sitting strangely in the middle of this seminal album is ‘The Ballad of Billy James’ probably the worlds first English country murder ballad, which charts the anguish and heartache of a serial killer. Even though the lyrics of this macabre song are harsh and poignant, you can’t help bit sing along to the up tempo country vibe. Although everything on the album has been moulded and caressed by Marks’ own hands (including the artwork), he has also roped in the talents of Mark Lilley for backing vocal duties on two tracks and Amy Notman provides what can only be described as angelic tones to the duet ‘Getting Scared’. This album is the sound of summer 2008 and will sit neatly in between the sun kissed beaches of L.A and scarlet twilights of England.