Anne-Simone
Bittersweet
(self-released)

Keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter Anne-Simone has produced a solid debut called Bittersweet. Vacillating from bleeping and burping synths, some very effective harmony vocals, drum machine looping and even a piano, this lady presents some pretty neat songs, all actually having something to say.

Opening with the tight, cutesy, bleep and burbing and wry lyric love song of her lead-off single, “Digitize Me,” into the piano-led, low cello-like backing and harmony vocal of the simple yet very effective pulsating poignancy of “Gone So Long” to the killer defiant stance of the title track, we get a good mix from Anne-Simone.

“Unsaid” is another pretty piano tune and a solid showing of her great pipes. However, I feel the backing ‘shu-shucky’ drum beat gets in the way (there is a nice floaty guitar here though) and “Fire Rainbow” (where that drum beat does work) ends this collection with Anne-Simone’s voice and keys mixing well.

I was at once reminded of anime soundtracks, Cyndi Lauper, and even Kate Bush when listening to the mélange that is Bittersweet. Anne-Simone’s voice is very expressive and she seems not afraid of all her influences, while making a mix that is truly her own. It’s not so often these days I come across a new artist who has something to say and does so in their own unique way.