This was a very pleasant surprise. The new album from Vicky Farewell owes as much -- maybe more -- to Nineties R&B than it does to indie. Give a Damn, out now on Mac DeMarco's own record label, showcases the skills of Vicky Farewell at capturing the vibe of the past in a fresh, modern way.
"Make Me" is catchy as hell, the track like something Janet Jackson would have served up near the turn of this century, while "Push It", another highlight here, is looser still, bringing in a hint of jazz. "Textbook" has the intimate vibe of a set at a hip coffee-house, though the delivery and producton are assured, not DIY. Even better than all of those tracks I've mentioned is "Tern Me On", a superb number that someone like Kylie or Brandy would have loved to have taken to the top of the charts in an earlier era.
This album is coming from an indie place, I suppose, given the DeMarco connection and the fact that the singer is a rising talent. In other ways, it's an ambitious record and one where the tunes are as robust at times as those on pop radio. Soulful and the perfect thing to chill with on a summer evening, Give a Damn by Vicky Farewell is highly recommended.
Give a Damn by Vicky Farewell is out now via Mac's Record Label.
[Photo: Robb Klassen]