Gina Été

Prosopagnosia

Backseat, 2025

9/10

Listen to Prosopagnosia

The Swiss singer-songwriter Gina Été returns with a sophomore album, where her distinct version of pop embraces classical and jazz ideas, too.

“Prolog- This Mess I’m In” opens the record with much atmosphere, as soulful singing is met with a dreaminess and warmth, and “Love To Work” follows with a firm beat and glitchy backdrop that recruits expressive singing and soft keys in a lush climate.

In the middle, “The Bet” emits elegant strings and soft melodies that swirl amid the bright and layered singing, while “F***you:you” is percussively strong, mesmerizing and touches on Eastern ideas in its cultured presence.

“My Friend” and “Your Opinion” exit the listen. The former is intimate and gentle, where poetic vocals are met with a haunting demeanor, and the latter welcomes Hannah Adriana Müller’s violin and Polina Niederhauser’s cello for a stylish and sparse version of modern pop that builds into a sophisticated and complex finish.

A highly mature effort that flirts with similarities to Juana Molina, Cat Power or Bjork, Été’s voice is stunning, the use of guitar and synth is also appreciated via this eloquent listen.

Travels well with: Daydream Three- Stop Making Noise; Juni- Late To The Party

Katie Toupin

Magnetic Moves

Symphonic, 2019

8/10

Listen to Magnetic Moves

Formerly handling the keyboards and vocal harmonies with the band Houndmouth, these days Katie Toupin is going the solo route, and she’s bringing much talent and adventurousness to the table.

The title track starts the album with Toupin’s engaging, smokey vocals on an upbeat, stylish version of today’s indie-rock where key and guitars are used strategically, and “Run To You” follows with a calmer setting on folk influenced sounds and subtle reggae nods.

Elsewhere, “Real Love” brings in much atmosphere where acoustic guitars and an orchestral backdrop add much to the tune, while “The Hills Are Calling” relies on a precise rhythm section in the cautious, pop influenced highlight.

Near the end, “I Need You” finds the songstress getting playful in mysterious and rhythmic ways with traces of dream-pop , and “Back In Time” ends the listen with some warm pedal steel on the country influenced exit that radiates beauty.

Though her previous band was well known for their indie-rock influenced Americana, on her own Toupin spreads her wings into many genres in soulful, sometime quirky and always thoughtful ways. Perhaps most closely sounding rooted in ‘70s ideas, this is a debut solo effort not to be missed.

Travels well with: Harry Nilsson-Pussy Cats; Moon Taxi- Daybreaker