Since her solo debut, 1996s ‘Diary of a Mod Housewife’ her albums have all been critical successes, this, her fourth album is her most rounded, and the one most likely to bring her wider recognition. Her country/pop/folk tinged portraits of life as an urban thirty-something single mother are unique – articulate, honest and at times both serious and humorous.
It’s the lyrics that stand out on the first few listens, this is about as clever and witty as singer/songwriter discs get, the urban setting for the songs gives all 14 tracks a familiar feel, but the female perspective is refreshing, and she approaches family and relationships in a manner rarely touched upon in music.
If all this sounds a little earnest then it isn’t – cynicism, tenderness and wit are all present in equal parts.
Amy has a distinctive voice (the nearest comparison is to Aimee Mann), her style and delivery is perfect for this honest and disarming material. It’s well crafted disc, moving from folky-ballads (‘Breakup Boots’ & ‘All the Way to Heaven’), to country influenced pop (‘Why Do I’ & ‘Til the Wheels Fall Off’). This is a great contemporary singer/songwriter disc – distinct in style, catchy, funny and easy to listen to.

£13.49