Canadian Leslie Feist charmed international audiences with her ubiquitous tunes “1, 2, 3, 4” and “I Feel It All” from her 2007 breakout album The Reminder. On her third release, Metals, Feist, aided by her longtime collaborators Chilly Gonzalez and Mocky (both also co-producers for Jamie Lidell and Peaches), forgoes pop for organic blues, folk and r&b with full instrumentation. The thirteen tracks have more breathing room, perhaps a result of, or, in homage to the recording studio they built in an open space on the California coast. Whatever the reason, Feist’s songwriting is as strong as ever and her lovely alto interplays well with the broader range of genres. Standout tracks include “The Bad In Each Other”, “Cicadas and Gulls” and “Comfort Me”. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Bon Iver, Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, Lightspeed Champion, Kings of Convenience, Lykke Li, Laura Marling, St. Vincent