Esther O'Connor - Right Here

In the perhaps already over-populated world of mellow female singer-songwriters, Esther O’Connor is maybe not a name you have heard. Latest LP Right Here is full of sweet, assured pop songs that are just a little bit country. The Irish-tinged title track is a highlight, one for the ladies that carries plenty of potential for singing into hairbrushes. Reminiscent of some of Natalie Imbruglia’s less angsty moments, O’Connor has a pleasant voice, yet she displays little of the requisite grit and personality  to separate her from her peers. Her emotional lyrics are undoubtedly heartfelt but occasionally teeter towards being gauche (“You say heaven is just a breath away”), rendering this record ‘nice’, but unlikely to inspire many a repeat listen. So early in her career, this offering should not be dismissed as callow, yet one can hope that, with time, O’Connor’s sound will lose some of the cuteness that is currently holding it back. [Lauren Mayberry]