Double Double Whammy US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Barely out of her teens, Emily Sprague is in possession of a spare and reflective outlook more redolent of an artist thrice her age, and the creative process that led to 'The Birds Outside Sang' lent itself to reflection more than most - after a bike accident left her in a neck brace and unable to use her left arm, she used her period of convalescence to piece together this understated, deeply personal yet wryly pensive work, marked by a delicacy of touch and a frailly as charming as it is disarming. Think of it as a 21st century echo of Robert Wyatt's 'Rock Bottom' if you must, yet this is far more an affecting work from a unique new talent.

Review: New York indie-folk four-piece' Florist's second album is a hypnotic, psychedelic album that is the musical equivalent of an out of body experience. Single 'Have Heaven' is so elegant that you imagine singer Emily Sprague as someone who is deeply in tune with nature and the cosmos, careful as not tread too heavily incase she disturbs the flowers. It's timeless but also quite unusual in terms of the mix because although there's aspects of folk classics like Joni Mitchell, some of the flourish with pedals and effects brings to mind more modern influences, like Superorganism. But it's more a peppering of that side so as to not overwhelm. Another single from the album, 'This Was A Gift' is pure beauty that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Some singers are just born for the role of troubadour and Sprague is one of them. Long may Florist keep capturing songs this magical.