We've known Robert Gomez a long time now -- ever since he was a pimp, matter of fact, which is to say a Latin Pimp, the band with which he's picked up more than a few Dallas Observer Music Awards. But now, he's the latest local (which is to say, Denton) export to rack up a few gold stars in the U.K. press: The March issue of Mojo features a rave review of Gomez's third solo album, Brand New Towns, which marks his full-length debut Bella Union. That's the label owned by Cocteau Twins Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde -- and the same one to which Midlake's signed. The review says he sounds like another singer-songwriter with some local ties: the late Elliott Smith. "Fragile yet assured," Mojo offers.

Gomez will perform March 23 at The Cavern on Lower Greenville, both with a band and all by his lonesome, when he officially releases Brand New Towns, songs from which are available on his MySpace page. (The disc came out in the U.K. on January 23, and the U.S. version's due in stores March 20. Till then, you can also stream the entirety of Brand New Towns on Gomez's Web site. And, yeah, it is awfully lovely -- "Mistress," especially.) Before that, though, he's got a Bella Union showcase to play March 17 at South by Southwest, with the likes of Midlake (of course), My Latest Novel, Fionn Regan, Stephanie Dosen and The Kissaway Trail. After the jump, a scan of the Mojo review. --Robert Wilonsky