Rose Elinor Dougall

Without Why Scarlet Music ***

Without WhyScarlet Music ***

She's only 24, but Rose Elinor Dougall has already packed a lot into her career. Since leaving indie popstrels The Pipettes in 2008, her talents have been borrowed by the likes of Brakes and Mark Ronson. Now it's time for a solo outing, and Without Whyis as bright and charming as you'd expect from someone in thrall to 1960s girl groups. That said, this is an album with more diversity than her previous work, which means mournful ballads such as Watchingand Goodnightbreak up the abundant tweeness proffered on tracks such as To the Sea. Best of all, though, are the soaring twinkles scattered throughout this album, tethered by Dougall's even croon and the occasional gentle gallop of a drum beat. Eminently listenable, if not quite indispensible. See myspace.com/roseelinordougallmusic

Download tracks: Come Away with Me, To the Sea

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She writes about music and the arts for The Irish Times