Pushing play on the opening track, you get a microcosm of McMahon’s approach to her career and music. It starts with the ragged unaccompanied strumming of an electric guitar as McMahon practically whispers the lyrics, “Water on the feelings that I do not like about the situation, I can feel my teeth trying to break the ice,” immediately enticing the listener into her sphere. Drums and bass then gradually enter as momentum builds and McMahon’s husky yet reserved voice raises like a ghost taking human form as the track closes like it began. It’s a daring, unexpected way to open an album. But as these unusually constructed songs unwind and McMahon’s dynamic vocals, somewhat like those of Tanita Tikaram and Joan Armatrading, take the spotlight, it’s clear she’s an artist forging her own path. -_American Songwriter _