Simple Folk

Oh, My Darling
Basia Bulat
Rough Trade, 2007
3.5 stars

Basia Bulat's debut has her fingerprints all over it - handclaps, harmonicas and warm guitars accompany her own Joni Mitchell-esque breathy vocals. This album is nice, the same way that freshly baked cakes and handmade birthday cards are nice. Knowing that someone has spent their time putting something together for you really adds to how much you enjoy eating, reading or, here, listening to it. From the soulful Why Can't It Be Mine, to bouncy string-fest I Was a Daughter and the beautiful Little Waltz, this album has a real homespun feel to it. A real organic-sounding folk album, and a pleasure to kick back and take in.

Artwork: B+

Published in mX, Monday 9 July 2007.