Cate Le Bon – CYRK

When I saw Cate Le Bon open for St. Vincent last February, I had only one real criticism: she needed a band. Thankfully, CYRK, her sophomore album, fixes that, and provides excellent results. Le Bon focuses not so much on catchy hooks or memorable choruses (though those are both pleasantly available at certain points), but on craft songwriting that is not afraid to take an unexpected or dissonant turn. Her voice is also engaging, unabashedly showing off a gorgeous Welsh accent that never loses it’s flavor. Honestly, CYRK is an excellent album that showcases the best of the singer-songwriter genre, combining simplicity with a surprising amount of depth.
RIYL: St. Vincent, Lykke Li, The Velvet Underground & Nico
Recommended Tracks: 1, 6, 9, 10