A striking, eclectic debut LP by the Spanish-American singer-songwriter, who, already with two Ivor Novello awards for songwriting, mixes mainstream pop with a variety of other styles, from close-mic Billie Eilish to drum’n’bass, intimate folk to Cuban rhythms. The latter is clearly in evidence in the exotic, alluring melody of California Sober. Opener June Baby is bittersweet, intimate indie-pop, about a tricky summer romance, and co-written with The 1975’s Ross MacDonald. The quietly acerbic Talk, in style echoes more her contemporary, acclaimed Clairo, dreamy rock with soft strumming guitars, and lyrically addresses that honeymoon phase of early relationships when potential problems are ignored. Cake has an Eilish, whispery intimacy to it, with a strong, alluring bass line undertone and a sexy, swaggering hedonism (Fuck the cake!/Let’s go straight to the vodka”) as drum’n’bass rhythms slowly intertwine in with dark seductiveness. 15% is a lovely power ballad acoustic number with a compelling melody, while How Can I Be a Person is a quietly reflective song reminiscent of early Bon Iver. Vauxhall is another acoustic, gentle gem. With further variety all the way through, gentle closer Swan Song, preceded by the rippling piano of Black Swan, addresses the question: “Who knows how long we’ve got?/As long as I am breathing, I know it’s not too late to love.” Canal has been highlighted by Coldplay’s Chris Martin as a star in the making and invited her on stage at Glastonbury. Whether that’s a blessing or a curse is open to opinion, but her songwriting talent is very much evident in this very strong, mature debut. Out on Parlophone.
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