Whimsical Indie With Charm
Whimsical singer/songwriter Christina Courtin’s self-titled debut album is packed full with quirky pleasures that will charm the listener. Imbued with jazzy touches and energetic tunes, Courtin shows off her vibrant songwriting style that builds on her experience performing in jazz and pop shows.
Sultry bluesy numbers like ‘Hedonistic Paradise’ demonstrate Courtin’s passion for singing; her soft and breathy vocals flow like honey with the lackadaisical edge of modern day prodigies like Regina Spektor. Courtin seems to have mastered the knack of producing catchy, jazzy rhythms perfectly as tunes like ‘Foreign Country’ trot along at a lilting pace.
There are a fair few sweet tunes that could constitute indie easy listening: ‘February’ features tense violin swells that transform it from a gentle, summery number into a grittier piece altogether; on the other hand ‘Green Jay’ is the height of twee indie and a lovely, laidback listen.
‘Laconia’ is one of the most instantly appealing, mainstream songs with a thick, almost orchestral backing that features snarling vocals and a powerful and impressive chorus. It’s real proof that Christina Courtin could make a name for herself and definitely one to check out.
As a violinist, Courtin has a real ear for beautiful instrumental lines, as the fluttering strings on ‘Rainy’ demonstrate best. There’s a good mix of instruments present throughout the album, from the strings, which clearly complement the longing indie tunes, to some crisp piano punctuating more lively numbers. It’s lovely to hear such a varied and fresh-sounding album, however some of the songs are a little too laidback to really make an impression, leaving the album as more of an acquired taste than a staple for lovers of offbeat singer/songwriters. This album is most definitely a promising start for a bright musician; it’s just one that may not be mainstream enough to make its way into the UK charts right now.