Album Review: Olympia - Self Talk

There's conundrums to deal with introducing and explaining what the former Olivia Bartley is about. First: she doesn't want to be called a 'singer-songwriter'. Ok, let's go with 'musician', or better yet, 'artist'. One who's made an at times remarkable record. But one who's maybe still working out what to say — and how to say it. She's certainly off on tangents from her first self-identification with the 'confessional folkie' crowd.

There's electronics, spirals and eddies of harmonies, an almost contradictorily powerful yet wispy voice — and her guitar playing could have the same descriptors. Comparisons are odious, sure, but kind of unavoidable as you'll need reference points to come at this so individual album. The knowing This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, and the title track's "...world full of edges" have an almost St Vincent nerviness to them. Occasionally there's a desire to dance, but a worry that it might be a bit uncool, which perhaps nods to various Goldfrapp incarnations.

Then there's just beautiful modern pop in Smoke Signals' waves, hooks abounding. Or be drawn in by the piano ripples of Biscuit's love letter of attempted explanation. All brought off balance by some unexpected sonics coursing through, as if to stop you getting too comfortable. Maybe that's "rearranging the furniture" as Somewhere To Disappear has it.

Self Talk is not an easy record. There are bits to love. Others to puzzle. It will inspire curiosity at the least. Maybe that's the idea.