It's a rainy, grey afternoon in Austin, and the perfect time to listen to the still, sweet folk of MadeLoud artist Serena Matthews.
Her latest album is entitled 2012, and as topical as the title is, the music feels like classic acoustic balladry found in the naturalistic, pastoral songs that hooked our attention decades back.
Matthews' voice is arresting - Indie Music Reviewers Magazine compares her to Macy Gray, but that comparison belies that while Matthews' tone is husky in parts, it has a honeyed warmth to it that R&B singer Gray can't or doesn't desire in her own music.
Matthews' music conveys a sentimentality and solitude about it that somewhat addicting. Give it a listen and see if you aren't at least partially entranced.