Next to the new Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the album I'm most looking forward to this year is the debut solo CD from Rose Elinor Dougall. The ex-Pipettes singer has shown another side of herself as a performer with the 4 solo singles she's released to date. It's not that I don't love The Pipettes but they alternated between humour and nostalgia and Rose seems to have found a few other emotions to highlight in her solo work.
Following "Another Version of Pop Song", "Start/Stop/Synchro", and "Fallen Over", "Find Me Out" is yet another mini-masterpiece. Let's just say that fans of the first Portishead LP, Black Box Recorder, and early 1970s UK folk will be happy. Mixing a modern production sheen with a retro wistfulness, Rose has mellowed out a bit on this track.
The spacey Joe Meekisms of "Start/Stop/Synchro" have been smoothed into little bleeps behind her clear, crystalline voice. The song is simple and does not overstay its welcome. It's lean and direct, hinting at something more without belaboring the point.
It's very English in the same way that The Sundays' "Skins and Bones" was, even if there's not a jangly guitar to be heard anywhere in the mix.
And, as a fan and armchair scholar of UK pop, I'm a bit stunned at how complete and well considered each single has been so far; her 4 solo singles are as strong as most albums I've heard in the last few years.
Rose is not trying to sound like her old band -- there's not a trace of the Pipettes' sound unless you count that wistful quality which you can hear on the bridge of "Judy", or on "A Winter Sky" -- nor is she trying to be different for the sake of being different.
You can play the song below and then order it on a variety of formats as the 3 May release date approaches.
For now, check out Rose Elinor Dougall on the web:
Rose Elinor Dougall website
MySpace page
Rose Elinor Dougall - Find Me Out by dancetotheradio