Album Review: Grace, FMA

If you're wondering why Grace Sewell's smoky vocal induces panicky flashbacks from sweaty, last-minute Christmas shopping trips, it's because the 19-year-old's cover of Lesley Gore's sultry 1963 anthem 'You Don't Own Me' featured on House of Fraser's festive ad campaign last year. And that my friends, is a fairly accurate indication of what to expect from the Australian's debut FMA: it ticks all the 'soulful' boxes, but like the pseudo-edgy ad it soundtracked, it lacks real soul.
There's no denying Grace's powerhouse vocal, and it's given the full vintage, '60s-feel production on 'Church On Sunday', 'Hell Of A Girl' and 'Coffee'. She's only starting out and so has lots of room to grow - but, for now, it doesn't feel truly authentic. Comparisons to Amy Winehouse have been bandied about, but where Amy sang from a troubled heart, Grace's version feels more heartbreak-by-numbers. It would be wrong to be too hard on her: there are catchy tracks on here with real appeal, but true blue doo-wop and soul fans will find it lacking.

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