Sarah Nixey - Sing, Memory

Sing, Memory is the first solo offering from Black Box Recorder vocalist, Sarah Nixey. A concept of sorts, it is technically two mini-albums in one, each with its own prelude and story. Sing speaks of what has happened, Memory of what is yet to come. Built on a bed of fourth world synths, Sarah Nixey is Nancy Sinatra for the 21st century – sultry, quixotic pop-music with breathed, laboured vocals. Motives of Kate Bush, Tori Amos and even the ambient end of Garbage float around in minimalist atmospheres. Although the sound is thick at times, too often Sing, Memory feels sparse and exiguous, and as the electro-cabaret grows towards the close it all begins to feel just a little formulaic. [Neil Ferguson]