Laura Jansen

The fact that Laura Jansen was born in the Netherlands but recorded Elba in Los Angeles will not surprise anyone who listens to the opening salvo of this interestingly dynamic album. There is the sheen and gloss of America - but just the right amount of euro-pop energy, marking it apart from many of the middle road US singer songwriters that proliferate US TV dramas.

Elba takes it title from the Mediterranean island that Napoleon was exiled to and Jansen says that the inspiration came from two years of solid touring - saying that she felt constantly on the move, like a ship moving from port to port. She relates to the idea of being sent to an island and declaring it yours (as Napoleon did by saying he was King of Elba). This is also a very personal record she says - coming off the back of the end of a long term relationship. Given the background story of a break up and the theme of isolation - it is surprising that Elba is such a joyous, upbeat and at times dreamy experience.

Misleadingly the album opens with an irritating programmed refrain - with The Lighthouse thankfully soon setting up the tone of what is to come, with pounding piano and echoey vocal, with a similar feel to Sara Bareilles, only more interesting. Better though is Queen of Elba, with its gently floating start becoming a pounding anthem with a rousing chorus that just avoids becoming to dance-pop - although you can imagine some terrific dance remixes.

Golden is another anthemic 'call to arms' - this time reflecting that no matter how bad things are, there is always something positive; "in the middle of your heart, is a place that's never dark". With such a bright opening burst it would be hard to maintain the pace, and there is a mid album lull, with the Kate Bush-esque Light Hits The Room and the plodding Little Things (You) showing Jansen is better a full pelt. As if to prove that theory there is an entertaining mash-up of Bronski Beat's 80s classic Small Town Boy with Johnny Come Home from the Fine Young Cannibals, which works very well.

Of the ballads that do work - the dark and sinister hints of abuse on album closer Pretty Me show the potential for greater things still to come. The Tori Amos-like bitterness ("the aisle proved too long for me") mixed with her simple piano is magical. There is also a radio friendly duet with Keane's Tom Chaplin on Same Heart, which could be a future single.

Elba is Jansen's first UK release after her debut album Bells was only released on mainland Europe. This is bound to get people investigating what they might have missed, but more importantly it will have many people excited about what might come next. One to watch.