REVIEW : Wonder

Australian Idol is a strange little machine – it can be a monster that churns out stars who are more than willing to mould themselves to someone else’s artistic ideal. But for those who wish to retain their own dream, their own vision, it can be an amazing vehicle that provides incredible exposure.
Australian Idol was most definitely the latter for Lisa Mitchell. And while her voice may have polarised opinion during her time on the popular Channel 10 talent show, she (thankfully) stayed true to her style throughout. And it’s that style that really shines on her debut album ‘Wonder’.
Right from the ‘Oh What A Beautiful Morning’ intro that opens the album, your imagination is helplessly drawn into Lisa’s perfect, sunny landscape. What follows are twelve divinely crafted acoustic pop numbers, beginning with single ‘Neopolitan Dreams’ – instantly likeable with it’s layered vocals and sing-along chorus.
‘So Jealous’ is screaming out to be a single – desperately warm, familiar, engaging and stylish, previous single ‘Coin Laundry’ bursts in with it’s oh-so-now beats and Lisa’s vulnerable, almost whispered vocals and ‘Clean White Love’ is best listened to with the headphones firmly on so you can full appreciate it’s beauty.
‘Pirouette’ could be quite simply be one of the most divine pieces of music we’ve heard all year.
Lisa follows that up with another heart-felt performance on ‘Love Letter’, heart-wrenchingly shunning a potential love because of her constant absence. It’s similarly superb.
‘On Hark’ rescues us from our temporary melancholy with it’s fun, frothy beat and ‘Red Wine Lips’ re-employs the acoustic guitar and introduces a few whistles.
‘Wonder’ is an incredibly impressive body of work – warm, organic, familiar, raw and very, very stylish.
It’s crafted by a young woman who possesses the ability to flawlessly emote. And while her voice might not be to everyone’s taste, given the chance, ‘Wonder’ will most definitely weave it’s spell on you. It has us.

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