Singer Elanor Moss has a voice which may evoke comparisons to Sandy Denny's. The material on The Knife, The Needle, the Merge Records debut from Moss, is introspective and affecting. There's an austerity here, yes, but also beauty and warmth too.
Opener "Fixer" is a success thanks to the guitar plucks which underpin the hushed vocals from Moss. The more lyrical "Again, My Love" weaves a touch of folk through the hook, though simple string accents help keep this one moving forward. Elsewhere, "Sarah Waiting in the Car" is elegantly playful in a very subtle way. A listener can hear a faint Joni Mitchell influence on this one too. "Secrets of the Universe" draws us back to that Sandy Denny reference thanks to Moss' clear vocals.
There's precision on The Knife, The Needle and a decided lack of fluff. What remains is a showcase for the voice of Elanor Moss. The compositions here are simple, and the production unobtrusive. What remains is beautiful material which is moving in a very direct and intimate way. Highly recommended.
The Knife, The Needle by Elanor Moss is out today via Merge Records.
[Photo: H. Hawkline ]