My friend actually introduced me to her music quite a while back, but I put it on the back burner for a while. A few days ago, I re-looked into her stuff, and I realised what I've actually been missing from this local gem. She was previously from rock band Allura which she fronted. I think this clearly presents to us her versatility, moving on to acoustic/electronic from rock. And I must say she's doing pretty well.
On first listen, she reminds me a lot of Priscilla Ahn. Her dulcet voice leaves something lingering while you listen to her songs. Her self released solo album, aptly titled "The Bedroom", as she recorded it in her bedroom, is a 4 track EP. It provides insights into what her music is like post-Allura. With gentle guitar arpeggios, and not afraid of using electronica, which was inspired by outfits such as Bjork and The Postal Service, coupled with her dynamism and versatile vocals, she melds all these into one easy to listen EP, which slowly grows on you as you start to appreciate her talents. Lead in track Rule The World utilises electronic beats quite generously to provide a gentle accompanying beat to a pretty song. The playful feel of this song isn't lost as well, as she sings of ruling the world and sharing the riches of the world, when it's just two of them - she and her loved one. When she sings of this lasting until they last till they are really old, you know she means it.
the pavements abound/looking to be found/and i'm cruising slowly
Aqueous Oblivion is purely stripped down to the basics, just the guitar and her. She exploits this fully, showcasing her abilities on the guitar and her vocals to the best she can.
Devotion In Reality delves deep into her past, musing about lost love. Of (broken) promises and heartbreak, you realise that this album could be about personal experiences. Well paced, with what sounds like a xylophone? in the background, the song slowly introduces you into her world, where the lack of lyrics mid song coincide with the opening to the door into that cosy, intimate world of hers and moves on, as if she's showing you around this wonderful place. I'm reminded of The Little Prince written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, where the title character lives in a really tiny world (actually an asteroid), which is just about as big a house could be.
With a title like Find Fix and Save, it screams vulnerability of the heart. The layering of the song using synths is evident, ala Imogen Heap, but she never deviates from the heart and soul of this EP - her voice and guitar - to carry the song, and I might say the EP to the great distance it is already going.
With cleverly crafted songs that tug at your heartstrings and please your ears, it's really hard to fault this EP. As she prepares to release her full length album at the end of this year, which I'm eagerly awaiting, we'll have to settle for these 4 songs. And interestingly, like the lyrics in Find Fix and Save, there is indeed an emptiness that lingers in me when I stop listening. It's that good. If I had to rate this EP, (I hate rating because it gives numbers to the song/album/whatever is. I prefer words, as it can evoke much more - be it good or bad.) I'd say 4.5/5.
Official Site
Essentially her official site is where you'd go to download her EP for free, otherwise it's just miscellaneous stuff. Get the whole thing right now, and immerse yourself in her voice, and don't forget to get on the Inch Chua ride, which is only gonna get better.
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