Julian Plenti is the alter ego of Interpol frontman Paul Banks, who releases his debut solo album this week.

While there’s no mistaking the inimitable singer’s ominously captivating vocals, as Julian Plenti, Banks is free to explore wider territory than with his suited-for-brooding band. In fact, Julian Plenti Is… Skyscraper sounds downright uplifting at times (most notably on the Polyphonic Spree-esque “Unwind”); at others, it relaxes into string-laced acoustic melancholy.

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“Fun That We Have”

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“Games for Days”

Stream the full record, download “Fun That We Have” and “Games for Days,” visit the Julian Plenti MySpace page, check out his official website, and buy the album.

Julian Plenti Is…Skyscraper by Julian Plenti