Dots

With the amount of love she’s gotten from the Irish public in the last year, it’s hard to believe that this is Galway one-woman-band Elaine Mai’s first official release. The four-track EP boasts plenty of the haunting melodies and lush melodies that Mai has become known for, but thanks to her head-scratching musical set-up (her songs are created by looping half a dozen instruments over one another), there’s a wee surprise around every corner. A personal favourite is ‘Live’, whose folksy twang, echoey vocal gymnastics and chanting climax make it a clear stand-out.