Narrow PIAS ****

Three years after her debut (Lovetune for Vacuum), Austrian Anja Plaschg has released a mini-album that is full of melodrama. Yet it is all very real; her father’s sudden death in 2009 inspired Vater, its piano melody evolving into a poignant elegy. Desireless’s Voyage Voyage also becomes this once it’s stripped of its Europop origins. Bleakness is everywhere, through Plaschg’s interpretation of Nico (in the play Nico-Sphinx aus Eis) to the chocolate she had made for Narrow (which contains pig’s blood).

Plaschg acknowledges the impermanence of everything. This tension is played out on the glitchy Deathmental, which recalls early Timbaland, and Big Hand Nails Down, which is gloomy industrial music. But after impermanence comes a need for delicacy, and Cradlesong creates a soft landing. With Boat Turns Towards the Port, Plaschg unites both worlds, bringing the sound of nature crashing into a song. soapandskin.com

SIOBHÁN KANE

Download tracks: Deathmental, Cradlesong