You know I wouldn’t sell my letterbox for a king’s ransom… And that’s because through it arrives some pretty wonderful music; often expected, some by complete surprise, some artists known, others complete strangers. Some even arrive with great names like Vienna Teng. This  young lady is new to me but it didn’t take long for me to get into bed with her music.

The first song in fact. ‘The Last Snowfall’ starts with a few seconds of sound, rather like a vinyl LP’s familiar opening line, but then a simple instrumental background and this most beautiful, expressive and fragile of voices emerges. The song is as melodic as sin, sways gently with the most sensative and angelic vocal harmonies, and a set of lovely lyrics. Okay, straight on my radio play-list for Sunday. Good? It’s bloody wonderful. ‘White Light’ rolls along a little faster with a jazzy pop vibe. Another tangible melody, another quite simple instrumental arrangement and a voice that reaches out a little further. Wandering piano notes introduce ‘Antebellum’ and stay for the journey. Teng’s voice becomes even sweeter as orchestral strings weave in and out and the vocal soars. A lower key male vocal eventually emerges with Teng’s sweetly swirling around it. Hell, should I play this one instead or should I play both. You see, great records can cause problems too… ‘Kansas’ is a superb, melancholy ballad with subtle changes of pace and that piano returning to play a rhythmic and dramatic role.

‘In Another Light’ has a rather comical and retro vibe helped by a perky alto sax and other brass fare. It’s an unusual song and totally enchanting. ‘Grandmother Song’ starts with a 1-2 and then is sung mostly acappella accompanied only by hand claps and tub-thumping as it races along. There’s vocal yelps, flashes of fiddle, and blues/gospel vocal interjections. It’s glorious, and I now know I have to play at least two songs on Sunday from this brilliant album. Of the remaining excellent tracks the epic ‘Augustine’ and ‘No Gringo’ makes me wonder whether I should play three songs on Sunday night… Not very BBC are we?

Need I write more? Of course not! This is a truly great and diverse adult pop record of the kind that demands repeat play. I strongly suggest that you check this young lady out, without delay.

4.5/5