Emma Dean has been around the Brisbane scene now for a few years in various guises, including the trio Bittersuite, the theatre troupe Zen Zen Zo and as part of Kate Miller-Heidke’s band. But it’s as a solo performer that’s she’s really begun to shine. After 2007’s impressive EP Face Painter, this first longplayer, co-produced with Ben Stewart and featuring a number of up-and-coming locals, arrives as a fully-fledged showcase of this singer-songwriter’s talents. You can see how comparisons to everybody from Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple to Clare Bowditch and Kate Miller-Heidke have some sort of currency but Dean doesn’t really stand in their shadow at all. Drawing on her extensive training and background, particularly with piano and violin, she melds elements of classical and cabaret for a style that sounds both theatrical and thoughtful. And just when you think it’s heading into prog-rock territory, as in Cocaine’s chop-and-change mood or, as in Henry’s swooping strings, maybe getting too orchestral, it’s all focussed by a rock attitude nailing the melodies and by Dean’s own vivid voice. It’s an undeniably accomplished, imaginative effort with plenty of colour and movement but, more importantly, with lots of heart and soul.

BILL HOLDSWORTH

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