On first acquaintance this 25-year-old Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter comes across as yet another aspiring female folkie in the Suzanne Vega, Jewel and Liz Phair vein. Closer investigation however reveals McKeown to be much more sonically adventurous and lyrically sophisticated encompassing jazz, cabaret and show tunes with shades of Rickie Lee Jones and Tom Waits in her line-up of influences.
The opening cut, ‘Slung Ho’, a breezy up-tempo pop tune in the style of Fairground Attraction’s ‘Perfect’ reveals McKeown’s voice – or more correctly, her quirky vocal intonation – to be utterly distinctive and unique. ‘Cinematic’ which she describes as her version of a “punk” song is a bit of throwaway but then things take an unexpected twist: ‘The Taste Of You’ is pure vaudeville – like something from the soundtrack of Bonnie & Clyde, complete with chorus-line vocals and muted trumpets. Surprisingly, it works as does ‘How To Be A Lady’ a Django Reinhardt style ditty while ‘Born To Hum’ is more Paul Simon (‘50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’) in approach with a definite hint of Belle & Sebastian in the rolling melody.
The jazzy ‘Cosmopolitans’ is an original based on the audio diaries of Judy Garland while ‘Lucky Day’, a song made famous by the tragic actress, is the purest retro sounding tune here.
The breadth of influences and range of styles on offer here might put some people off but somehow McKeown manages to tie it all together on this intriguing album. She’s due in Ireland in November so you can make up your own mind.