Cat Power

Sun Matador ****

Chan Marshall's first collection of original material since 2006's The Greatest is her most eclectic, as Cherokee illustrates, its glitchy beats and mournful piano creating an atmosphere that is fresh yet wise. Emerging from the ashes after a heartbreak, Marshall has broken with the smoky Delta blues for this record, refusing past history. This gives everything a youthful verve, as she lifts from electronics (aided by Cassius's Philippe Zdar) to accompany her careworn voice. There is a lightness amidst the rich instrumentation; it's in the driving synthesizers and percussion (from Dirty Three's Jim White) on the title song; in the busy pianos on the ascending, joyous Ruin; and in the layered electronics of Real Life. Influences range from Brian Eno (Manhattan) to Black Flag (Peace and Love). On Nothin' But Time (featuring Iggy Pop), Marshall sings "it's up to you to be like nobody". And she is. catpowermusic.com

Download tracks: Cherokee, Ruin