Kat Vipers has been likened to, amongst others, Kate Bush, and this offering certainly gives a glimmer as to why. Bold string arrangements - at times beautiful, at others seemingly misplaced - are a constant beneath striking vocals that can walk a very fine line between impressive and grating. Opening song Hot Air Balloon has more than a hint of Portishead about it, while on Just Like Jerry Lee, Viper's vocal acrobats are more unbounded, sparring with piano for the minor-key melody. Wasting Time adds a show-time feeling to the foundations laid by the first two tracks, while Get a New Dog Blues continues along similarly, allowing This is Now to finish things off with a refined display of vocal control. [Jon Seller]