PANDA SU-I Begin CD-EP

To have a vocal that's at the top of its tree and which is so distinctive that you know who it is within two seconds of hearing it, is something most singers would die to own – luckily Ms Su has it already – and how!! Not only that, she has the songs to back it up, as this 4-tracker testifies to a tee. Opening with “Bee Song”, we have a languid, slowly flowing slice of gorgeousness that features delicate acoustic guitar, gentle wooden block percussion, textural drift from what's presumably accordeon, delightful tinkling vibes, mallet percussion and some kind of electronic texture, all topped off with that rolling lazy beauty of Panda Su's lead and multi-tracked vocals, delivering a song – a tale – that's as simple as it is magical, the whole thing a piece of absolute wonderment, the sort of song that you can listen to several times a day, every day, without ever once losing the wish to hear it again. Her vocal is addictive, her arrangement so exquisitely simple but so effective, every note counting for more than than it sounds, the track building and layering to perfection – complete genius encapsulated. “I Begin” is similarly paced only starts with a more clipped yet still flowing vocal only this time the backing is more electric/electronic, somehow deeper and more expansive yet remarkably light at the same time, Notes ring in the air and shimmer, percussives clatter gently underneath, the guitar rings and shines, the lead vocal soars slowly upwards and multi-tracked choruses and harmonies deliver a chorus that's like basking under a cloudless sky on a sunny summery day. “Alphabet Song” actually proves the old adage that a great singer would sound good even singing the alphabet, for this delightful song, features Su doing just that for part of it, not to mention counting from one to ten, giving us a song – yes, a proper song – that's backed by cascading electronics, textural shimmer, deep bass, more tinkling vibes in the distant, mallet claps and gently rhythmic backdrop as that warm-hearted vocal curls itself around your fibres to exquisite degree, and you just let it in like a best friend in from the rain to a warm, cozy fireside. It's once again absolutely unique and utterly sublime. The EP ends with “Facts And Figures”, starting with a slightly faster vocal that's a bit like Suzanne Vega but distinctively Su, and another wonderful song flows to perfection, once again backed similarly as before, only this time more dynamics come into place as the song actually strikes up some force halfway through, then drops back to the languid roll and solid structure of the main body of the song as those vocals curl up beside you and never leave – just the way you always dreamed it would be. As an EP, it really is perfect – there's nothing you could do or say to improve just how wonderful these songs – and this woman's talent – truly are.

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