Nick Drake – Bryter Layter

Bryter Layter, released in 1970, is Nick Drake’s second studio album and a record that expands his intimate folk style into fuller, jazz- and chamber-pop–influenced arrangements. While his debut Five Leaves Left was spare and pastoral, here Drake enlisted a range of collaborators—including members of Fairport Convention and arranger Robert Kirby—to surround his delicate guitar playing and hushed vocals with warm strings, woodwinds, and subtle rhythm. Songs like Hazey Jane II and At the Chime of a City Clock carry a gentle swing, while One of These Things First and Northern Sky showcase some of Drake’s most enduring and hopeful melodies.

The album strikes a rare balance between melancholy and brightness, with Drake’s introspective lyrics framed by lush instrumentation that adds accessibility without diluting his fragile intensity. Though largely overlooked at the time of its release, Bryter Layter has since been hailed as a masterpiece, cherished for its emotional depth and timeless beauty. It remains one of the definitive statements of Drake’s tragically brief career.

Reviews

“Bryter Layter is brighter and more expansive than its predecessor, but it never loses Nick Drake’s intimacy.” – AllMusic

“Northern Sky is as perfect a love song as anyone has written, and the album around it is nearly as flawless.” – Rolling Stone

“Bryter Layter feels like an autumn afternoon—warm, wistful, and fleeting.” – The Guardian

“A landmark of English folk, this record proves Drake could balance fragility with accessibility.” – Mojo