(Electronic, Indie, Alternative) Jane Tyrrell - Echoes in the Aviary - 2014, MP3, 320 kbps

Jane Tyrrell has proven to be an unsung hero of Australian hip hop for many years, but now she steps into the spotlight with her debut album Echoes in the Aviary.
The time is ripe for Tyrrell to make her first foray as a solo artist. The worlds of indie pop and R&B are colliding with more force than we ever thought possible.
But that's not to say Echoes in the Aviary is strictly an R&B album, it's more a work of atmospheric pop that pulls in elements of a number of different urban and art-pop styles.
There's a wonderful sense of space in the arrangements all throughout this record, layers of synth lines and simple, powerful drum beats provide perfect backing for Tyrrell's enchanting voice. And, good as the instrumental arrangements are, it really is all about Tyrrell here. Her voice is up front of every track and given every chance to shine, which it does on every track.
The eerie 'Among The Bells' has Tyrrell channelling Beth Gibbons while putting her own spin on things. The way she harmonises with herself on her version of Paul Kelly's 'Stolen Apples' is brilliant.
Musically this is a classy affair. At no point do any of these songs feel cluttered, but the sounds used are often emotionally affecting. The soaring harmonies on 'Ships', the extravagant, sweeping synth strings that roll through 'Raven' and the weirdly affected vocals and warm, twisted synths that pad out the album's title track just a few examples of the diverse array of glorious sounds on offer.
The intricate construction of these songs and the power and beauty of Tyrrell's voice combine to make Echoes in the Aviary one of the most accomplished and beautiful local releases you'll hear in a long time.