Lotte Kestner "Cliff" Video

Lotte Kestner is probably my favourite singer songwriter. Ever since a transfixing first viewing of Trespasser's William, somewhere around 2004, I have been progressively more spell-bound by everything that has emanated from the pen, and the voice of Anna-Lynne Williams. This is far from the first time I've eulogised about her voice in writing, and I'm sure it won't be the last, either. Lots of people have special voices, but not many use them to their full, spectacular potential.

Having released a couple of albums independently, Lotte Kestner now returns with a new album, Bluebird of Happiness, on a new label, Saint Marie Records. The video for the album's first single, Cliff, can be seen below.

I'll have a review for the album here in the not-too-distant future, but in the meantime, sit back, bask in the wonder of this single, and then pre-order the album forthwith. Perhaps this will finally be Anna-Lynne's time to enter the spotlight of the wider public consciousness that her beguiling talent undoubtedly deserves.

With Anna-Lynne currently hard at work with Robert Gomez on the follow up to last year's triumphant debut Ormonde album, Machine (featured in my albums of the year) as well as a follow up EP of her own, 2013 is already shaping up to be a special year.

Lotte Kestner: Stolen (Album Review)

Lotte Kestner, or Anna-Lynne Williams, as she was named by her mother, has one of those voices. You know the sort. It's the kind of voice that stops you in your tracks. The kind of voice that can re-affirm your belief in the existence of a benevolent deity or higher power, one whose sole interest appears to be generously bestowing music of great power and beauty upon His (or her) thankful people. It's one of those voices that could sing the phone book, or a Chinese Takeaway menu, and it would have you swooning. Even the guys. Especially the guys.

After a long period of time providing ever-more haunting vocals for her band Trespassers William, and her exquisite debut solo record, China Mountain from a couple of years back, and while we wait for the debut record of her new project with Robert Gomez, Oromonde, which follows later this year, Anna-Lynne has released Stolen.

Stolen is a covers record. This is a brave move at the best of times. The majority of covers albums don't really work. Here is one, however, which does.

The songs here come from a variety of sources. Beginning with a haunting cover of Damien Jurado's "The Falling Snow" and taking in songs by artists as diverse as Bon Iver, Hayden, The National and Interpol among others, the sense emerges, of a unified, cohesive album, full of songs which sound like they were written for Lotte Kestner to sing them. This is not a disparate collection of random covers, this is a journey into the heartbeat of an artist and poet, who wrests every ounce of fragile emotion possible form each song she touches.

Building on the successful blueprint of China Mountain, this record is awash with delicate acoustic flourishes, delectable vocal harmonies, and occasional interjections from keys and synths which take Lotte Kestner's sound in a slightly fuller direction, without ever distracting from the central instrument: that once-in-a-lifetime voice.

Self-released on her own Saint-Loop Records, this is one album not to miss. Lotte Kestner is an artist worthy of our ears, our hearts, and our support.

Pick up this incredible record now from: http://www.saintlouprecords.com/merchandise