The first thing I thought when I saw Emily Jane White: she looks a heck of a lot like Chan Marshall, aka, Cat Power. (They both have the best bangs. Ever.) And yes, at first listen, she kind of sounds like her, too. But on closer examination, this 26-year-old California-bred girl puts a much different spin on the whole indie folk goddess routine that has become so hot in recent years.

How so? Her debut album, a haunting blend of piano, guitar and White's intoxicating, smoky voice, creates a unique sound that she refers to as "dark folk." Inspired by classic country and blues songwriters, along with modern music heroes like Nick Cave and P.J. Harvey, her complex lyrics serve up a sinister version of American life that's filled with ravens, daggers, broken hearts and ghost trains. This is the kind of album you play while sprawled out on your bed, going through a box of love letters from an old flame. It's at turns sorrow-filled, then scary angry, but always totally cathartic.

Is she a misery chick, you ask? Kind of, but much more hippie than goth girl. (She recently spent a few months living in a tent in a North California apple orchard, surrounded by lots of goats. No joke.) Will you get sucked in by her melodic sound? Most definitely. Especially when you hear her play an acoustic set live, next Sunday night at Make-Out Room...just be sure to leave those letters at home.



- Caroline Stanley

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