Catcall - "The Warmest Place"

Artist: Catcall 

Album: The Warmest Place

Label: Ivy League Records

Release Date: May 4^th, 2012

Review by: Sean Kayden

The debut LP from Australian singer Catherine Kelleher, under the moniker Catcall, can compete with any pop album this year. “The Warmest Place” is a mainstream record that unlike its counterparts has undeniable depth, tremendous value, and profound sincerity. Flooded with 80s dance beats and utterly contagious hooks, “The Warmest Place” makes it mark as not only one the finest pop records this year, but also as an indelible listening experience. Forget what you think is cool in pop because Catcall is the next big thing (or at least rightfully deserves to be). 

Four years ago, Catcall released the hip-hop infused EP, “Anniversary”, but to say she’s mature would severely be an understatement. Instead of focusing within the boundaries on one playing field, her latest release is spread across the board. Pop, hip-hop, electronic, you name it, a distinct sound can be found here. Kelleher’s voice is electrifying, grand, and empowering. She just may posses one of the best vocals in pop music. This new affair touches base on all kinds of themes—sex, heartache, bereavement, delightfulness, and love. Nothing on the album is disposable, which is incredibly impressive for a pop record. Arguably the best song is “Satellites”, which occupies a dreamy jubilation. “That Girl” is pure 80s from head to toe and it’s so damn slick, velvety, and polished. It needs to be in a movie worthy of its true awesomeness. In the end, you’ll be hard pressed to find a bad song on “The Warmest Place”.

The only tracks that didn’t win me over completely were “Paralysed” and the closing track, “I’m in Love With a German Film Star”. They’re not necessarily egregious in any way, but simply fall short of what all the other songs have going for them. Other than that, I personally fell in love with this unexpected release. It’s unabashedly poppy, evocative, and catchy. With everything that’s going for it, “The Warmest Place” is also both impressively poignant and downright glorious. This listening endeavor is the key ingredient to kick off your summer escapade in the best possible way.

Grade: 8.7 out of 10

Key Tracks:  “Satellites”, “On My Own” “The World Is Ours”, “That Girl”, “Shoulda Been" 

Published by Mountain Views News on June 2nd, 2012

http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n22/p10.htm