South Downs chanteuse Jennifer Left leaves behind the quant woodland surroundings of her previous diaphanous Black Dog and Hushabye outings to yearnfully bop in a faux-Cotton Club setting on this latest offering, ‘Diggory’.
Not so much a major departure, the eponymous leading single is, to a degree, cut from a less folksy cloth. On this occasion, Left seductively crooners over a upbeat 50s twanged and smoky lounge backing, peddling as she does, a cautionary tale of “a workaholic soul whose inordinate social life and unbounded substance abuse unwittingly begin to take its toll.”
More swinging than enchanting, Diggory is supplemented by two alternative adaptations, the first ‘Alternative Diggory Pokery Version’ pars down the pop-lit production for a less fancy demo-esque intimacy and atavistic earnestness, whilst the second, a Banks remix, takes us on a chillwave, metallic thumping ride into the ozone.
On the surface a cover of New Order’s plaintive ‘Temptation’ may seem an incongruous choice for the “neo-folk” songstress, yet Left disarms the original’s sulky indulgent grumblings to make it her own; adding a touch of heart-warming endearment and charm.
Wistfully expanding her songbook and range, Jennifer Left is steadily building up a momentum and gaining support for her dreamy romantic musings.
Released 5th November 2012
[Rating:3.5/5]
