(Saddle Creek/Stomp)

She could tear your heart out and you’d still smile and say thanks

At the helm of Art In Manila is Orenda Fink, previously of Azure Ray, who has been picking and mixing a collection of band members since the dissolution of her first band in 2004. Set The Woods On Fire is the result of this bastardisation process, and an enjoyable result it is. Despite her obvious role as band leader, it’s a much more collaborative effort than I’m making it sound, as each musician is given space to move, the space to test individual and overall capabilities. Not your standard singer-songwriter blandness, the album glides between country, folk and piano balladry, and even a touch of South Of The Border on the menacing Anything You Love. Further highlights include the title track and its emotive mix of tortured guitar lines, smooth keyboards and dual female harmonies courtesy of Fink and Adrienna Verhoeven. Whether Fink has been hurt greatly before, or she’s a great storyteller, I would be in no hurry to inform her that I’ve just run over her cat.

MITCH ALEXANDER

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