Joanna Newsom is perhaps not the kindest influence to labour under. So quirky and specific in its approach that once you have the idea that a record sounds a bit like Joanne it's a difficult notion to shake off and fully appreciate the record concerned on its own terms.
On the other hand, perhaps being influenced by such an original artist has its up side too. Because liking Newsom, you're almost duty bound to push out the boat and attempt to be innovative like she is.
Such is the case with The Keeper, the debut album from Swede Maja Lena, once of Low Chimes. Although certainly labouring under an influence, this is also a rather lovely record altogether. It's not as if Newsom herself emerged entirely from a vacuum. She owes a fair deal to Kate Bush too, something you can also hear strongly on this record.
So prepare yourself for an hour or so of delightful flouncing around sunlit meadows in Pre-Raphaelite frocks in the grand tradition of Joanne and Kate. The Keeper is a delightful listen. And though it never altogether transcends its influences and steps into its own space, there's plenty of time for that. In the meantime this will more than do.
A Post Script. Since chancing upon this a couple of days ago I've been listening to it on loop. Regardless of its debt to Joanna and Kate, it's a lovely thing in itself.
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