Gemma Ray

Add Date: November 10

Artist: Gemma Ray

Album: Lights Out Zoltar!

Label: Bronzerat

Genre: Pop/Rock

Comments: Second album from this Essex-born singer. The promoter describes it as having an "epic multi-layered sound" and I couldn't agree more. Definitely not your garden-variety singer-songwriter. Apart from the lovely vocals, I hear a mix between a playfulness a la Au Revoir Simone, the mournfulness of Antony and the Johnsons and the haunting sound of the Kronos Quartet. To name just a few, that is. The end result, however, is definitely unique and something that David Lynch would probably approve of for one of his films: disturbing at times, yet too good to set aside. Go with "Tough Love" for something more accessible; "(You Got Me In A) Death Roll" for a duet reminiscent of "Where the Wild Roses Grow;" "100 mph (in 2nd Gear)" and "If You Want to Rock and Roll" if you're up for a darker sound.