Dolls & Jigsaws

Singer-songwriter avoids clichÉs on invigorating DEBUT
Although Aoife Moriarty is a graduate of the International Bar singer-songwriter scene that gave the world the likes of Damien Rice and Declan O’Rourke, you wouldn’t know it listening to this highly accomplished quirky pop gem. She claims influences as diverse as Steely Dan, Madonna and Blossom Dearie – it shows in spades on an album that contains little of the self-conscious introspection adopted by most troubadours.
With a voice sounding not unlike that of Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis, Moriarty’s natural singing style shines through, especially on slow-burners such as the haunting, ’Memorabilia’ and gorgeous ‘Hard Life’ – a dreamy, near-perfect pop tune that someone like Dido would kill for. She sounds a tad like Karen Carpenter – no bad thing – on the plaintive ‘One More Time’ while ‘Mr Kryptonite’ is more theatrical than most of the songs here, betraying a playful cabaret influence. It takes a certain confidence to handle complex melodic arrangements such as the one found on the current single, ‘Alphabet Soup’ the highlight of the album with its jazzy piano chords and memorable chorus. But she carries it off with ease despite an unexpected, sonically ambitious discordant middle eight section. The whole affair is buoyed by slick musicianship, sympathetic arrangements and the kind of pristine production that gives it a big budget sound.

Key Track: ‘Alphabet Soup’