Lettie

Within 5 to 10 seconds of opening track Swirl, this third album from London singer-songwriter Lettie can be described as quirky, with jumpy electronic rhythms and beats alongside her unique vocal style, which is reminiscent of new wave vocalists, as well as the more up to date Little Boots. However, the word quirky would hide the pain and suffering that underpins this album.

Good Fortune, Bad Weather almost didn’t see the light of day through a combination of events. Her American producer and composer David Baron lost his young daughter just after her first two albums were released. Then in 2009 Lettie lost her dad after a long illness. There was also a technical malfunction with equipment at Glastonbury and concerns over money, which all combined to leave Lettie so frustrated, she decided to scrap what would have been her third album, Other Days.

However, David Baron persuaded her to return to the US to record and co-write what has now become this third album and it is therefore no surprise that tracks titled Never Want To Be Alone and Bitter appear. The difficult last few years obviously offer a lyrical backdrop, as do the types of jobs she was doing to help fund her career; a chamber maid, appearing as an extra in Harry Potter movies and most intriguingly, picking apples with the drummer from Hawkwind.

“I’m so sorry I let you down” Lettie cries on Lucky, while the plaintive Come Back features her reflections on absent friends and relations with pleading calls of “don’t you leave”. All this might indicate this is a difficult and melancholy album, but that is far from the truth. While the title track is dark and atmospheric, it is not maudlin, and the likes of Digital and Fitter are much more instant.

Having almost pulled the plug completely on a promising career, the quality of the album underlines what a shame that would have been. But this is pop for the more discerning listener, not as instant as some of her younger rivals but with more depth.