Nadine Shah - Dreary Town (Apollo)

Opening with haunting piano, Nadine's post-jazz vocal creates a perfect atmosphere of regret, heartbreak and tortured emotions. She has a knack for imagery and manages to conjure up a ghostly tale of lost love. Her fragile, almost broken, voice only aids the emotive context and makes for a truly compelling listen.

'Bobby Heron' is probably the most Nick Cave-influenced number (a comparison often brought to Nadine's attention), which evokes the feeling of a funeral procession with its dark undertones and almost seedy ambience. The accordion is a great touch and allows the song to move into a more upbeat stance, albeit a very minimal one.

The EP concludes with a delicious rendition of 'Cry Me A River' - a song that Nadine frequently covered in her time as a young jazz musician. She effortlessly morphs the song into a tale of revenge rather than that of a wounded woman, making it a delightfully chilling listen. Her vocal range is stunning and her talent as a songwriter truly impressive. This is a woman who we'll definitely be seeing more of come the end of the year.