Illusions of the Sun

Marianne Nowottny’s third album – short at just under half an hour but perhaps a perfect follow up to the double CD Manmade Girl – captured the remarkable and unique feeling of her general approach then, relying primarily on keyboards without rhythm parts and her low keening voice to create simultaneously catchy and very unusual songs. The title track sets the mood with a rollicking flow while the brilliantly titled “Rainy Days and Vinyl,” a piano-led piece, shifts between quick and slow paces, sung-spoken lyrics and the feeling of an exploration in the moment.