Cool Hunting

Alice Smith’s For Lovers, Dreamers and Me, is a strikingly mature debut. Like the best pop music, it's original, genuine, and accessible.

Characterized by soul-searching lyrics, tunes that are catchy without being cheesy, rich and subtle arrangements, and vocal performances that range from captivating to breathtaking, For Lovers journeys with ease through genres—from bluesy soul, to rock, to melodic pop, to country. The album proves (as a select group of artists have done before her, albeit few on their debut release) that good music is good music. And those with comparable first efforts that come to mind—like Fiona Apple, D’Angelo, and Jill Scott—didn’t have the breadth that Alice Smith has here.

From the opening piano stabs of “Dream” to the final glissando of “Love Endeavor”, the album is a rare pleasure that's more enjoyable with every listen. It may only be June, but this is my album of the year, hands down. Due out in stores 5 September 2006, download it now from Dancetracks Digital.

by DJ Scribe for NuiSh