Sweet Whirl - How Much Works LP

Following two albums as one half of Superstar and two short releases under her solo moniker, Sweet Whirl, this is Esther Edquist's debut LP under the latter project. How Much Works continues from where her earlier work left off: singer-songwriterish tracks centred around her piano playing and unique approach to bass playing. However, this album sees a further expansion of the sonic palette, with the use of an array of drum machines, synths, and strings, that sees the project step into the territory of the post-trip hop UK artists like Beth Orton and Everything But The Girl. Yet Edquist continues to tackle the Big Themes of much singer-songwriter music (love, loss, loneliness, existentialism etc.), spinning them on a witty or unexpected turn of phrase. A song about the dreariness of work pivots on a line about Òall the kicks in a conga line.'' Elsewhere, a breakup track ends on a refrain about fixing tail lights and making believe that she's happy by herself. Songwriting that keeps you on your toes! -Mitch