Creation

The debut album from Dublin solo artist Nina Hynes provides compelling evidence of her emerging talent.

From the first of the six tracks here, 'William Tell', it is obvious that Hynes is not going to be limited by the stale formula of unadorned guitar and voice favoured by many of her songwriting contemporaries. Instead, the song is borne along by samples and backbeats, through which Hynes' voice (which sounds like some strange Irish hybrid of Bjork and Cerys Matthews) cuts effortlessly.

This is followed up by 'This Magic Stuff', unquestionably the most accessible track among the collection. As suggested by the title, it is a wonderful, tender-hearted pop song, it's mood set by the opening lines: "Be my sanctuary/ I know it's not ordinary of me/ But I can't get enough of you."

It is on the closing 'Bring Me Alive' that Hynes is at her best, though. An astonishing, epic track, it builds in intensity over the course of seven minutes, culminating in the singer repeating "this music brings me alive" over and over until the listener is as enraptured as Hynes sounds.

As is the case with any artist in the early stages of their career, there are some rough edges apparent on Creation. On occasions the music gets just a little too ethereal, the lyrics a little too nebulous. Nina would do well to remember that it is often the particular and concrete rather than the wispy and abstract which communicate most effectively.

Nonetheless, if she plays to her strengths, and manages to build a cohesive musical identity from the diverse styles shown here, this impressive album will only be the beginning for Nina Hynes.