Suzanne Savage

Jellymould Self-released ***

She has supported Van Morrison and guested with the likes of Paul Brady and it seems Suzanne Savage already has friends in high places. Yet the Belfast songwriter's debut album is more unusual than those associations would suggest, not least because of her high-pitched vocals, which recall Kate Bush at her most florid. This collection of songs is at the jazzier end of the scale, as evidenced by the sassy cabaret of Just Fine and Onetwothree and the finger-clicking soul swing of Say. But Savage plumbs darker depths with the piano-based title track, a deliciously macabre creation with gothic undertones. Overall, though, this is an upbeat album that aligns Savage loosely with cabaret-type artists such as Camille O'Sullivan and Julie Feeney. It could do with a little more spit'n'polish in the production, but as a debut outing, it's an agreeable affair. suzannesavage.co.uk

Download tracks: Jellymould, Onetwothree