Stella Donnelly - Beware Of The Dogs

This Australian singer’s debut album is a pop delight, from jangly opener ‘Old Man’ and the clever lyrical twist in the intimately whispered ‘Mosquito’ to the hilarious political discussions at the family table during ‘Season’s Greetings’. The seemingly autobiographical ‘Tricks’ raises the middle finger to the music industry’s demand for moldable puppets and the percolating ‘Bistro’ introduces some nice glitchy synth sounds to the predominantly laidback vibe. The synthy ballad ‘Watching Telly’ relates a dichotomous relationship to the beat of an OMD soundtrack. Yummy!

Donnelly’s huggable girl-next-door vocals remind of the likes of Mary Lou Lord and like the former busker-turned-pop star, will endear you to her occasionally self-deprecating, vicious put-downs – to quote Eddie & The Hot Rods, this gal “takes no shit from no one, but keeps on having fun” – and her twee, Sharon-style soft pop arrangements will have the C86 crowd eating out of her hands. The fluffy harmonies on the perky, life-affirming ‘Die’ are part Taylor, part Lily & Madeleine and totally wonderful and the torchy ‘U Owe Me’ leaves no stone unturned in telling a certain someone where to go!

Donnelly is a bright star shining on the pop horizon, even if her mouth could do with the occasional soap washing!