If you haven't heard of Nellie McKay, chances are you will soon enough.
The 19-year-old's debut album, Get Away From Me, has received glowing reviews, and she signals a growing trend towards young, female songwriters who don't have to resort to skimpy clothing or vocal histrionics to attract attention.
Genre-wise, Nellie falls conveniently into the idiom of jazz pianist/vocalist, but Norah Jones she isn't. (The title of Nellie's album, Get Away From Me, is an obvious pun on Jones' Come Away With Me).
On her double-disc debut, Nellie deftly combines jazz, Tin Pan Alley pop, disco, reggae and hip-hop rhymes to create music that is unique, offbeat and remarkably original.
The stunningly beautiful McKay (pronounced "mac-kai") has been referred to as equal parts Doris Day and Eminem. She can evoke a sultry jazz siren one moment, and fling unexpected profanities the next.
Even at her most beguiling, she is prone to making humorous observations and offbeat jokes.
"Yeah, I'll have my coffee black. / Hey look, we're bombing Iraq," she croons.
The 18 songs on Get Away from Me reveal a stylistic depth that is uncommon for someone of Nellie's age.
The album opener "David" combines Nellie's sultry jazz sound with a buoyant reggae rhythm.
"Sari" is Nellie's attempt at hip-hop rhyming, while "Baby Watch Your Back" and "Waiter" add a bit of disco to her repertoire.
"Manhattan Avenue" and "I Wanna Get Married" are classic jazz, siren torch songs.
And that's just the first disc.
The second half reveals even more surprises, such as the surprising hook in "Toto Dies" or the beautiful, sublime "Suitcase Song."
As a young, socially aware, sarcastic New Yorker, Nellie's lyrical themes deal with social justice, non-conformity, philosophy, feminism, politics, emotional insecurity and love.
Her unique and refreshing combination of musical styles, subject matter and oddball humor, combined with a wallop of genuine musical talent, makes Get Away From Me one of 2004's must-hear albums.
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