The July issue of Filter had a pretty, well-put-together feature interview with a young, pretty, well-put-together little songstress named Annie Clark – better known as the fantastic St. Vincent. I didn’t read it, but I did hang its glossy pages on my wall. Not long after, it was announced that she’d be setting up The National on the autumn leg of their tour supporting the ubiquitous Boxer. The cogs of hype hath turn.

Her debut record just came out; it’s called Marry Me. Erm, yes please. The first couple of spins recalled an alternate universe where Jolie Holland moved to Paris and dropped the funny drawl. Not too far off: Annie shared a couple dates with Holland earlier in the year. Further listens affirmed this, but unraveled a somewhat more mature, developed nature that a singer this young ought not to even approach, and definitely not on her first record. It’s a beautiful album, swirling and going off in lots of great and interesting directions. “Jesus Saves, I Spend” is metallic and modern and cool; “Paris Is Burning” is chic and god fuck if you don’t crush on Ms. Clark after listening to it, you should probably call an ambulance.

Reccommended Tracks

• Jesus Saves, I Spend
• Paris Is Burning
• The Apocalypse Song

Stream on her MySpace