GIA FORD
Transparent Things (Chrysalis)
For a debut album, Transparent Things is a very confident and accomplished collection. Sheffield-born Gia Ford’s voice is beguiling and doesn’t stray too far into obvious Americanisms, despite the Americana influence that pervades the album. Sonically, the production is excellent and LA legend Tony Berg has melded the poppier electronic and loop sounds to the live playing brilliantly. There’s just enough grit to the guitar and sheen to the synths to make Ford’s music cut through the competition.
What is missing is a great standout track, or if that can’t be found then a sharper set of lyrics is probably needed across the album as a whole. There’s some great shifts in the music and some lovely leaps in Ford’s melodies. Opener Poolside has shades of Lana Del Rey, as does the title of a later album cut, Housewife Dreams Of America – but, like much of Transparent Things, Gia Ford promises a lot without ever quite delivering the killer line that connects.
words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES