VV Brown - Travelling Like The Light

If you've picked up any music magazine this year, then you'll have barely been able to move for the coverage VV Brown has received in the months leading up to her debut album 'Travelling Like The Light'. Pretty much tipped for greatness as soon as 2009 rolled-in, the London-based singer-songwriter follows a clutch of singles like 'Leave!' and the recent pop-anthem 'Shark In The Water', with an album that more than surpasses any weight of expectation.

Much like her quirky fashion sense, these 12 tracks are a varied, charismatic and fairly unique listen. Recalling sources as wide as rock 'n' roll (VV cites Elvis as an inspiration) to Gameboy style compositions, there is little in the way of predictability. At first we have wild banshee shrieks and surf guitars in 'Quick Fix', which jumps to the percussive rhythms, horns and funky drum breaks of 'Game Over'. Later, she flirts with a piano ballad ('I Love You'), 60's soul ('Bottles') and doo-wop on 'Crying Blood' and 'L.O.V.E.'.

Despite a care-free anything goes aesthetic, which sees Brown merging and splicing any style of music she see-fit, 'Travelling Like The Light' is remarkably cohesive. This playful fusion also prevents the album from falling where others have disappointed - it avoids repetition and tedious moments. Afterall, variety is the spice of life.