Anika Moa - In Swings The Tide (2007) / Female Vocal, Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Pop, New Zealand music

On her debut, New Zealand singer-songwriter Anika Moa delivers an amiable, poppy folk sound driven by acoustic guitar and her pretty mezzo-soprano, which is layered often into invitingly lush harmonies. The album, produced by Victor Van Vugt (Beth Orton, PJ Harvey), features a backing band that includes members of the Corrs, The The, the Golden Palominos, and Echo and the Bunnymen, and the 10 songs are predominately slow and moody. The 21-year-old Moa has a penchant for thoughtful, personal lyrics, and she gives her music some modern twists in an organic way, recalling Orton. "God and His Culture" employs some laidback electronic beats, the slightly funky "My Son" possesses a tribal feel thanks to an undercurrent of didgeridoo, while a few tracks utilize strings and velvety keyboards for atmospheric enhancement. Although Moa works from a familiar template, she imbues it with a freshness that hints at more good things to come. --Bryan Reesman