Album Review: Emma Louise - Vs Head Vs Heart

Following the success of Jungle in 2011, Emma Louise had every chance to take an expected singer-songwriter path with her debut record. Pick up a guitar, write some stripped-back folk-leaning fodder, soundtrack hipster girls knitting and cash the cheque at the end of it all. Instead, she's led her band – and make no doubt this unit behind her is very much a band and not some chops for hire – to find a sound that marries lush future elements with earnest vintage charm, and dear god is it ever stunning.

The one-two intro of 17 Hours and Atlas Eyes provides a nice upwards build into the release before settling into a gorgeous sonic world, a place where piano and guitars move within each other, drums, samples and loops push rhythms along, all the while Louise's voice soars over the top, as soft and inviting as clouds in the sky. There's some Middle-earth flute sounds in the background of Stainache that meander beautifully with Louise's longing, while the subtle crescendo is so rich, so wide, that it could swallow you if it wasn't done with such refrain. The pulsing synth disco of Freedom is smartly placed mid-record and creates this spike of energy that rolls into the second half of the album, while Cages is charged full of emotive power. The sound depths being mined here are most certainly deserving of quality headphones and a comfy beanbag.

People have fallen over themselves for Tori Amos, Lykke Li and Bat For Lashes, so there's no reason they shouldn't do the same for Emma Louise. vs Head vs Heart is a stunning debut and completely world-class.