Indiana is the real deal. That’s all that needs to be said. We could leave it at that and just force you to listen to her music. In fact, we are going to force you, but we’re also going to babble on a bit about why we’re forcing you. If you’re short for time, these are the basics – Indiana sounds like a pop starlet penning her defining record, but she isn’t. She’s a blossoming talent, fresh from the streets of Nottingham, and she’s only just getting started. The talent levels are full to the brim, and when we caught her live we came out with a genuine belief that we witnessing an artist who’s ready to sell millions of records worldwide. She’s that good.
Vocalist (and namesake) Indiana is undoubtedly the centerpoint of the project. Her raspy voice often breaks and gives way to emotion in all the right places. It’s a rare way of singing, but it’s a style that has worked wonders for Sia and Delilah, who are both noted for the thunders of emotion that flavour their material. Not concerned with merely demonstrating deafening high notes, Indiana is much happier to flirt with a beautiful strain. In every performance, it feels like she is giving everything she has to the song. Indiana’s voice doesn’t have to be on the brink of tears to muster up a response either, as her silky smooth delivery in Mess Around demonstrates so effectively. It is a pleasure to listen to, it’s relaxing without ever being boring, and proves that Indiana is one of those distinctive talents that could lift any sub-par song to a higher standard.
The songs aren’t sub-par, though. In fact, they’re anything but. Smoking Gun is a clear choice for a single, with its addictive chorus and the tense build up throughout the verses. Blind As I Am sees her showing that she’s smart enough to know that her own immersive voice is enough to conjure the atmosphere the song craved, helped along only by minimal electronics. Animal is arguably more experimental, and proves to be genuinely haunting with its expertly crafted backing vocals that end up being a highlight of the composition. It’s early days, but she’s already showcasing a brilliance in her writing as well as her voice.
Indiana has a bright future. Most artists can write and perform a decent song within their genre, but her voice will lend itself to anything – future experimentation beckons, and this will see her have a web of paths to explore. Not only is she standing here with a stunning set of crafted tunes, she’s promising an incredible future. Shaping songs, delivering them with an effortless passion, and setting her sights higher and higher – Indiana won’t be on the underground Nottingham circuit for much longer.
Watch the video for Smoking Gun by clicking the icon on the photo.
