Live Review: REVIEW: Cat Power 'Sun' LP

Gritty guitars, confronting lyrical content and those distinctive, soulful dulcet tones are instantly recognisable as CHAN MARSHALL, aka. CAT POWER, on her most recent release. The New York based artist has yet again shown her propensity to develop her craft while continually inspired by the shifting musical and political influences around her.

On her ninth LP Sun, almost a decade on from her breakthrough album You Are Free, the modern forces of auto-tune and synthesisers are present, which works for Marshall's songwriting – brightening the tone and showcasing more refined instrumentation than her previous work.

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The rapid spitfire energy behind 'Ruin', with its densely packed lyrics centred around the names of countries and towns, and its subsequent face-paced global flavour is a clear stand-out. Excellent hook and punchy, this Triple J favourite will draw you under CAT POWER's spell (if you're not already under it).

'3, 6, 9' moves with a steady, drawling rhythm and reverb and auto-tuned vocals keep that modern edge alive vibrant. The title track lives up to its name and glows with a radiant warmth from the inside out, the gently tickled guitar riffs and MARSHALL's honeyed-bourbon vocals are divine.

Sun cruises along at a gentle but insistent pace, from the woman who's renowned for a raw and often brutally honest approach to songwriting.

All this from a prolific 40 year-old creative mastermind who has always had a social conscience, and an creative agenda to stay relevant and be heard.

The Calcutta, Great Britain and Saudi Arabian adventures she describes – those that inevitably bring her back to a hometown where people are always “bitching and complaining” – have brought CHAN MARSHALL to the profound and sobering realisation that “we're sitting on a ruin”.

Yep, CAT POWER's thoughtful, soul-searching inner poet is still alive and well. And thank god for it.

TRACKLIST

1. "Cherokee"

2. "Sun"

3. "Ruin"

4. "3,6,9"

5. "Always on My Own"

6. "Real Life"

7. "Human Being"

8. "Manhattan"

9. "Silent Machine"

10. "Nothin' But Time"