Album Review: Ella Hooper - In Tongues

Solo record number one from ex-Killing Heidi frontwoman and Spicks And Specks host Ella Hooper is full of dark and moody pop, with lashings of alt-country guitars and dreamy synths.

Her smoky voice sits centre stage throughout, with her songs ranging from the sultry (Häxan) to the haunting (Everything Was A Sign, Last Rites). She’s at her strongest when she’s having fun, like the laid-back cool of the title track, and insistently poppy Dead Stars. The stand out number though is Low High, with its hypnotic found-sound beat, chain gang chorales and lilting melodic runs.