Amongst the more feisty generation of young, female pop singer/songwriters, Michelle Branch is undoubtedly one of the best. And this new album proves it.

Opening track, Are You Happy Now? is an obvious choice for the first single with its strong melody and angsty sentiments. Add a supreme instrumental arrangement, nicely building crescendos, well-judged and vibrant vocal, and it should fly given airplay (as it has in the States). Lyrically, Branch is also a cut above the average. Opening line to excellent track two, Find Your Way Back, is typical: “I used to get away with so much, now I can’t get away…” With another massive, hook-laden melody this could be single number two. The more downbeat and contemplative Empty Handed boasts another door-opening melody, involving lyrics and epic Beatle-sque orchestral flourishes - and the songs just keep coming…

Track four Tuesday Morning sustains the high standard set with a soaring vocal, moments of diverse pace and mood, while the beautiful piano-led One Of These Days ups the game even further. And the songs keep coming…

Love Me Like That includes backing vocals by Sheryl Crow on a song that could come straight out of a bluesy rock Crow album. Breathe is a magical mixture of solitary acoustic moments, dense rocky choruses and more wonderfully simple, direct lyrics (”I’ve been driving for an hour, just talking to the rain…“). Title track, Hotel Paper, (”I write mostly on hotel paper, knowing that my thoughts will never leave this room…“) puts the seal on an album that places the Studts and Lavignes of this world into proper perspective.

HOTEL PAPER is a great pop album, by an assured and leading young female artist. Strongly recommended.

4/5