This is the second album from young Australian singer/songwriter Holly Throsby, and one that took several listens to fully appreciate its many attractions.

Softly rolling keyboard notes herald in opening track Under The Town; a sweet, young voice sings a set of bittersweet lyrics (“And my heart’s an apple – red, round – and you shot it out!”) accompanied by one of the many tantalising melodies on this album. Chopsticks drumming on a window sill introduce Making A Fire, a song about the physical side of love. There’s another strong melody, rather comic instrumentations and more good lyrics. Throsby may not be the best vocalist around but there’s an innocence to her voice and lyrics that are not dissimilar to a nursery rhyme. If We Go Easy is another love song with the premise, “…if you go easy on me, Then I might go easy on you….” Throsby is a trained pianist and the skill is put to good use in the next track, On Longing, where she plays a steady rhythm behind an almost talking pace vocal with only the faintest violin notes providing additional support. It’s a charming song. There’s not one weak track in this collection, however, after several plays I sense that there’s a rather one-dimensional feel to the album with barely visible changes of pace and mood. Occasionally songs are sonically a little bolder, as though someone’s turned up the volume, before sinking back to the slow and quiet style that dominates. That said, Throsby has a distinctive style which in this crowded singer/songwriter market is absolutely essential, and the ability to strike the bulls-eye with lyrics like, “I’m trying to trust you, but I just don’t know where you’ve been.” My pick of the album is the relatively upbeat Swing On with its lovely melody, contemplative ambience, and the best vocal performance here. I feel sure that lovers of contemporary folk/pop will enjoy this album.

3.5/5