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Bachelorette: The End of Things

There is a lot more going on this perfectly-crafted synth-pop release than your average Ladytron or Lali Puna track. Christchurch dwelling Annabel Alpers, the sole force behind Bachelorette, has a great deal of control of the sounds she uses and the result is impressive. The keyboard tracks are layered high, with computerised drum tracks complimented by blips and chirps underneath, while at the surface, ethereal vocals create serene harmonies. However, rather than burying the lyrics in this play of sounds, Alpers still lets the words cut through and the listener is given equal doses of wit and emotion, as she paints a picture of love and life in the modern world. The songs are catchy, whilst being intricate enough to bear up to repeated listens. Another peculiar feature of this album is the hint of alt-country which rears its head near the middle, where dashes of delicate guitar appear effortlessly replacing the keyboard parts. Mick Elborado adds some nice lead parts to the mix. Recorded in parts at Alpers' own studio and the studio of the Undercurrents' Nick White, this shows how much control digital technology can give a musician over their sound. Overall this is a simply amazing debut.

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