So So Gay
Greg White takes a listen to the debut album by Brighton-based singer/songwriter Moya.
Brighton based singer/songwriter Moya has been stirring up quite a bit of attention this year with her lush and personal songs. Last month So So Gay featured the title track ‘Lost and Found’ as a single of the week. This month, we jumped at the chance to give her debut album a listen and we’re really pleased with what we hear. Recorded in London at Alaska Studios, Lost and Found is a remarkably mature debut for an artist 21 years of age. Moya recalls some of the great female singer/songwriters of the 90s with this collection of intimate and charming songs.
Lost and Found opens with its title track and second single. Featuring atmospheric guitar work and an excellent vocal performance, it starts the album with a strong and haunting vibe. The lyrics are a bit of a dark mystery that draws the listener in. First single, ‘Telling Tales’, is a stand-out track, with a more upbeat tempo and Moya showing off a softer and higher-pitched side of her vocals.
For a debut album it is remarkably diverse yet remains cohesive; in fact two of the best tracks on the album are actually the two that probably differ the most. ‘Making Me Fall’ is full of catchy joyfulness, with blissful, head-over-heals lyrics and upbeat production creating a lively and jubilant anthem. Towards the end of the album, ‘One Breath’ is the type of widely appealing yet personal piano ballad that Sarah McLachlan needs to help revive her career. This is a stunning track that hits you within the first thirty seconds. Obviously performed in one take, the nuances of Moya’s vocal delivery are heartfelt and beautiful. The sound of the keys, wood and air hitting each other within the piano can be heard in the mix; some would consider this a flaw in the mixing/production, but it was obviously left intentionally, giving the song an intimate ‘live moment’ feel. Lyrically exploring emotional distance, this song perfectly captures a melancholic instant in time. It’s the strongest yet simplest song on this collection.
Throughout the album, Moya’s rich voice perfectly complements the soulful production that ranges from full band to stripped-down piano ballads. Some of the tracks display a genuine glimpse of brilliance, hinting that Moya could go on to be one of the best British female singer/songwriters of her generation. We certainly hope this album warrants enough success to allow her to continue with another, as it’s tremendously exciting to think about where she could go from here.
Go Get It: ‘Making Me Fall’/'One Breath’
Forget It: ‘My Alibi’
Lost and Found is available now on iTunes and Amazon.
http://youtu.be/6tSJJJyWYdI
