Emerging: Olivia Broadfield

(photo by Andrew Robert Fox)

As the first female artist ever signed to independent label Vagrant Records, UK-based electronic singer/songwriter Olivia Broadfield is stepping out in front of the boys' club with the release of her debut disc, Eyes Wide Open, on July 14. The album, an array of beautifully harmonized and arranged musings on love, loss and all that goes in between, Broadfield's least attentive listeners will pick up only on her influences (cf. Imogen Heap, Feist) but those that in fact dig deeper will fully realize the sense that Broadfield is very attuned to her subject matter and not just replicating a process done too many times before. Her vocals are those of whispered professions in your lover's ear, just loud enough for him or her to hear you but not loud enough to catch the attention of the outside world. The arrangements, a mix of subtle beeps and blips and mechanized drum loops. With the attention already coming her way in the form of song placement on TV ("The Hills", "The Real World") and film ("The Eye") and little blog notice as well, but we're pretty sure that next month will find her getting more than just pats on the back, replaced by that of thunderous applause and acclaim, whether critical or populist. More than likely it'll be both.

(mp3)    Olivia Broadfield - Don't Cry

Godspeed!